1152 LAWS OF MARYLAND.

cause if any they have, why they should not be assessed with
the proportion of the expense named by the adjusters, not less
than fifteen days nor more than fifty days from the date of the
notice. The notice shall be delivered to the policeman, to be
served by him upon such of the persons entitled to notice as
reside in Worcester county. The notices may be served on such
of the parties entitled to notice as reside outside of the said
county, or non-residents of this State, by any person whose
service can be obtained to serve the said notice personally. In
such case the person making the service shall appear before a
notary public and make oath to the facts of personal service,
and the notary public shall append a proper certificate and au-
thenticate the same by his signature and his official seal. In
any case notice may be given to all persons, non-resideuts of
said county or of this State, by posting a copy of said notice in
writing or printing in front of the property of the person to be
notified, and on account of which the adjusters have returned
that said person should pay a part of the expense of said pave-
ment, and also at some hotel or other public place in Berlin
at least twenty days before the day appointed for such appear-
ance and answer. All persons notified in any of the modes
herein mentioned shall be bound by an order of assessment
which may be directed or to be made by the Mayor and Council,
whether they attend or not. On the day appointed in the notice
for the appearance and answer of the parties named in the ad-
justers' return such persons may appear, and whoever appears
shall be heard, and upon and after such hearing the Mayor and
Council shall make decision as to the person who shall con-
tribute to the expense thereof and as to the proportion in which
the several persons shall pay, and the Mayor and Council shall
pass an order setting forth their decision. Any person assessed
to pay part of the expenses of said improvement may appeal
from such decision of the Mayor and Council at any time
within thirty days to the Circuit Court for Worcester county,
but if no appeal is taken within thirty days the Mayor and
Council shall arrange for doing the work and furnishing the
material. They may provide materials and contract for doing
the work, or they contract with the same person for the ma-
terials and work; they may call on two or three persons skilled
in such work to make an offer of terms on which they will do
the work, and they shall accept the bid or offer of the person
who in their judgment will furnish the best material and work
for the least money, or who will do the best work on the most
moderate terms. Upon the completion of the work the Mayor
and Council shall examine it and shall hear complaints, if any
be made, within ten days after the work has been completed;