Section 8. If no such statement is presented as aforesaid, or if the claimant omits to prefer his claim in the

48. If no such statement is presented as aforesaid, or if the claimant omits to prefer his claim in the manner and within the period prescribed by the notice issued under section forty-six, or, on such claim having been so preferred by him and having been rejected, omits to institute a suit to recover possession of such timber within the further period limited by section forty-seven, the ownership of such timber shall vest in the Government, or when such timber has been delivered to another person under section forty-seven, in such other person, free from all encumbrances. Government and its officers not liable for damage to such timber.