Trade to Newfoundland Act 1698

XII. Persons not to rind Trees, set fire to Woods, or do other unnecessary Damage;

nor cast Anchor, or do other Acts to hinder the haling of Sayns, &c.; nor steal Bait Nets, &c.

And be it enacted by the Authority aforesaid That no Person or Persons whatsoever shall at any time after the said Twenty fifth Day of March rind any of the Trees there standing or growing upon any Occasion whatsoever nor shall by any Waies or Meanes whatsoever set on Fire any of the Woods of the said Countrey or do or cause to be done any Damage Detriment or Destruction to the same for any Use or Uses whatsoever except only for necessary Fuell for the Ships and Inhabitants and for the building and necessary Repaires of Houses Ships Boats and Trainfats and of the Stages Cook-roomes Beeches and other Places for taking Bait and fishing and for drying curing and husbanding Fish there And also that no Person or Persons whatsoever shall at any time after the said Twenty fifth Day of March cast Anchor or do any other Matter or Thing to the Annoyance or hindring of the haling of Saynes in the accustomary baiting Places or shoot his or their Sayn or Sayns within or upon the Sayn or Sayns of any other Person or Persons whatsoever And also that no Person or Persons whatsoever shall at any time after the said Twenty fifth Day of March steal purloyne or take out of the Nett or Netts of any other Person or Persons whatsoever lying a drift or Drover for Baite by Night nor steal purloyne or take away any Baite out of any Fishing-Boat or Boats or any Nett or Netts belonging to any other Person or Persons.