408 MECHANICS' LIEN. [ART. 61,

was appointed, may determine the respective rights of the
parties, and the apportionment and appropriation of all liens, and
for that purpose may appoint an auditor to inquire into and
report the facts, or upon application of any of the parties, may
direct an issue to try the facts, and may decree distribution ac-
cordingly.

17. Each person entitled to such lien shall file a claim or state-
ment of his demand in the office of the clerk of the Circuit Court
for the county, or the Superior Court of Baltimore City, as the
case may be.

18. The clerks of the Circuit Courts for the several counties
. and the Superior Court of Baltimore city shall each procure
and keep a docket or book to be called "The Mechanic's Lien
Docket," in which he shall record all designations or descrip-
tions of lots or pieces of ground, and all claims which may be
filed by virtue of this article, together with the day of filing the
same, and shall cause the names of the owner of the lot of
ground and of the contractor, architect or builder, if such be
named, and of the person claiming the lien under this law, to be
recorded therein.

19. Every such claim shall set forth, First, the name of the
party claimant, and of the owner or reputed owner of the
building, and also of the contractor or architect, or builder,
when the contract was made by the claimant with such con-
tractor, architect or builder; Second, the amount or sum claimed
to be due, and the nature or kind of work or the kind and
amount of materials furnished, and the time when the materials
were furnished or the work done; Thirdly, the locality of the
building, and the number and size of the stories of the same, or
such other matters of description as may be necessary to identify
the same.

20. Where a claim is filed by a contractor or builder who is
indebted for work done or materials furnished at his request or
on his account, the person or persons to whom he may be in-
debted shall have the benefit of such lien, and may, by petition,
claim to be paid the amount due him or them by such contractor
or builder out of the moneys to be received for such claim or
lien; and the same shall be apportioned in such manner and
form and by such proceedings as shall be equitable and just.