5. And whereas several inhabitants in Newfoundland, and other persons, have, since the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred eighty-five, ingrossed and detained in their own hands, and for their own private benefit, several stages, cook-rooms, beeches, and other places in the said harbours and creeks, (which, before that time belonged to fishing ships) for taking of bait, and fishing and curing their fish, to the great prejudice of the fishing ships that arrive there in the fishing season, and sometimes to the overthrow of some of their voyages, and to the great discouragement of the traders there; be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That all and every such person and persons, as since the said year of our Lord one thousand six hundred eighty-five, have or hath taken, seized, or detained any such stage, cook-room, beech, or other place, for taking bait or fishing, or for the drying, curing, or husbanding of fish, shall, on or before the said twenty-fifth day of March, relinquish, quit, and leave, to the publick use of the fishing ships arriving there, all and every the said stages, cook-rooms, beeches, and other places, for taking bait and fishing, and for the dying, curing and husbanding of fish.
No fisherman or inhabitant of Newfoundland to possess any stage, etc. until all fishing ships be provided, etc.
6. And for the preventing the ingrossing, and detaining, of all such stages, cook-rooms, beeches, and other places, by any person or persons for the time to come; be it enacted by the authority aforesaid, That no fisherman or inhabitant in Newfoundland, or any other person or persons whatsoever, shall, at any time after the said twenty-fifth day of March, seize, take up, or possess any of the stages, cook-rooms, beeches, or other places, which, at any time since the said year of our Lord one thousand six hundred eighty-five, did or at any time hereafter shall belong to any fishing ship or ships, for taking bait or fishing, or for drying, curing, or husbanding of fish, before the arrival of the fishing ships out of England, Wales, and Berwick, and until all such ships shall be provided with stages, cook-rooms, beeches, and other places, for taking bait and fishing, and for drying, curing and husbanding of fish.
Proviso.
7. Provided always, That all such persons as since the twenty-fifth day of March one thousand six hundred eighty-five, have built, cut out, or made, (or at any time hereafter shall build, cut out, or make), any houses, stages, cook-rooms, train-fats, or other conveniences for fishing there, that did not belong to fishing ships since the said year one thousand six hundred eighty-five, shall and may peaceably and quietly enjoy the same to his or their own use, without any disturbance of or from any person or persons whatsoever.
By-boat keepers not to meddle with house, stage, etc. belonging to any fishing ships.
8. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That all and every person or persons whatsoever, that shall go over with their servants to Newfoundland, to keep boats on a fishing voyage, commonly called By-boat keepers, shall not pretend to or meddle with any house, stage, cook-room, train-fat, or other conveniency, that did belong to fishing ships, since the year one thousand six hundred eighty-five, or shall be cut out or made by ships, from and after the said twenty-fifth day of March, one thousand seven hundred.
And to carry two fresh men in six. Inhabitant obliged to imploy two such fresh men. Master of fishing ship to carry one fresh man in five: and make oath thereof. Certificate gratis.
9. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That every master of a by-boat or by-boats shall carry with him at least two fresh men in six, (viz.) one man that hath made no more than one voyage, and one man who hath never been at sea before; and that every inhabitant shall be obliged to employ two such fresh men, as the by-boat keepers are obliged for every boat kept by them; and further, that all masters of fishing ships shall carry with them, in their ship’s company, at least one such fresh man that never was at sea before, in every five men they carry; and that the master of each such by-boat, and each such fishing ship, shall make oath before the collector, or other principal officer of the customs of the port or ports from whence such ship intends to sail, that each ship and by-boat’s company have such fresh men therein as this act directs; and that the said officer or officers is and are hereby impowered and required to administer the aforesaid oath to the said masters of ships and by-boats, and give a certificate thereof under his hand, without any fee, gratuity, or reward for so doing.