Power of Chief Engineer to take materials from uncultivated lands

(1) The Chief Engineer and any officers or workmen employed by or under him, or any contractor or other person or persons authorised by him may, at all reasonable times and with all necessary plant, vehicles and animals, enter upon any land not built upon or cultivated, and for the purpose of tracing, measuring, opening, constructing, repairing, clearing, altering, diverting, improving or fencing any public road or for the purpose of the construction or repair of any buildings whatever required on or near any such public road for the use of any officers, workmen, plant, vehicles, animals, tools and materials employed in his service may search for, dig, cut, take and carry away any water, timber, brushwood, stone, gravel, clay or any materials whatever without tender or payment by way of compensation to any person or persons entitled to or claiming to be entitled to such materials. (2) In the execution of any works under this section, no dangerous pits shall be left on any such land, and all necessary steps shall be taken to prevent the collection of stagnant water.