12. Any person who, before or after the time of the public sale of any of the lands of the Province, by intimidation or artifice, hinders or prevents, or attempts to hinder or prevent, any person from bidding upon or purchasing any lands so offered for sale, and his aiders and abettors, shall, for every such offence, be liable to a fine of not more than $400 or to imprisonment for not more than two years, in the discretion of the court.
R. S. 1964, c. 92, s. 16.