23. And it is hereby further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That if any person or persons shall, at any time or times, be sued or prosecuted for any thing by him or them done or executed in pursuance of, or by colour of this act, or of any matter or thing in this act contained, such action or prosecution shall be commenced within the space of three months after the offence shall have been committed; and in case the person or persons making such seizure as aforesaid shall have quitted the said island of _Newfoundland_ before the expiration of three months from the time of the offence committed, then that such action or prosecution shall be commenced within three months after his or their return to _Great Britain_; and such person or persons shall and may plead the general issue, and give this act and the special matter in evidence for his and their defence, and that the same was done in prosecution and by authority of the said act: And if it shall appear so to have been done, then the court shall adjudge and decree, or the jury shall find, in the courts of _Great Britain_ or _Newfoundland_ respectively, for the defendant or defendants; and if the plaintiff shall be nonsuited, or discontinue his action, libel, or other proceedings in the courts of _Great Britain_ or _Newfoundland_, after the defendant or defendants hath or have appeared, or if judgement shall be given upon any verdict or demurrer against the plaintiff, the defendant or defendants shall recover treble costs, and have the like remedy for the same as the defendant or defendants hath or have in other cases by law. [Sidenote: Fines and forfeited goods, _&c._ how to be applied.] 24. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That all and every the fines or penalties inflicted by this act, or by the acts herein-before recited, and to be levied upon the seamen or fishermen, except those for neglect of duty; and that such ships, vessels, or goods, as shall be seized, condemned, and forfeited as before mentioned, except such the distribution whereof is otherwise directed by this act, shall be given, one moiety to the informer, and the other moiety to the Governor of _Newfoundland_ for the time being, to be applied, under the direction of such Governor, in defraying the passages home of such person or persons as by this or any former act are directed to be sent back to the country to which they belong. [Sidenote: Part of the act of 15 _Geo._ III. repealed.]