Clause 10

Where the Commissioner is satisfied that any tree or plant, whether growing or not, is in an inflammable state or is likely to be dangerous to life or property or to cause an obstruction or is in any way physically or visually to impede traffic, the Commissioner may by notice in writing require the occupier of the land on which it is growing or lying to remove it within a time specified in the notice.

If the notice is not complied with, the Commissioner may, at any time after the expiration of the time so specified, cause the work to be done, and the costs and expenses of so doing shall constitute a debt due from the occupier of the land to the Government and be recoverable as such.

If a fire occurs on any land in respect of which a notice under this section has been given and before the notice has been fully complied with, the costs and expenses of extinguishing the fire shall constitute a debt due from the occupier of the land to the Government and be recoverable as such.

A certificate under the hand of the Commissioner as to the amount of the costs and expenses of extinguishing the fire shall be conclusive evidence that the amount has been so incurred.

Any person on whom a notice under this section has been served shall, if he is not the occupier of the land in respect of which the notice has been served, within seven days from the date thereof inform the Commissioner in writing that he is not the occupier.

Any person who makes default in complying with the provisions of subsection (5) shall, unless he shows cause for the default to the satisfaction of the court before which any question of liability to pay the costs and expenses of executing any work in pursuance of the notice served on him is determined, be deemed, for the purpose of recovering such costs and expenses, to be the occupier of the land in respect of which the notice was served.

Where, in any case referred to in subsection (6), the court is satisfied that the person in default has shown sufficient cause for his default, the costs and expenses of executing any work in pursuance of the notice served on that person shall, notwithstanding that the notice has not been served on the occupier of the land, constitute a debt due from the occupier to the Government and be recoverable as such.