620 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [CH. 358

ten days' notice at least in writing to each property owner so
interested, of the time set for final action on the return of said
examiners, and the County Commissioners shall act on said
return within twenty days after the expiration of said notice,
and may issue new commission, as in their judgment may seem
proper; and before proceeding to actually open, widen, ex-
tend, straighten or close any such road, bridge or drain, the
County Commissioners shall pay or render to the person, his
agent, guardian or representative the amount of damages so
awarded; and if any one shall feel aggrieved by the decision
of the County Commissioners in any matter affected by their
decision, he may appeal to the Circuit Court for St. Mary's
County by giving written notice within twenty days from said
decision filed with the Clerk of the County Commissioners of
his desire to appeal, and on filing of said notice it shall be the
duty of said Clerk to deliver all papers connected therewith
to the Clerk of the said Court, and the same proceedings shall
be had on the appeal as in cases o£ appeal from judgments of
justices of the peace; provided, nevertheless, that the County
Commissioners may decline to open, lay out, extend, widen,
grade or straighten any road, bridge or drain, notwithstand-
ing the decision of the said Court; but in case of refusal to
do so they shall be liable for all costs incurred and shall pay
the same; all benefits assessed by virtue of the above provi-
sions shall be prior liens on the respective lots or parcels of
ground on which they are assessed from the time of the final
ratification of the aforesaid returns, and shall be collected as
taxes are now collected or may be collected by action at law.
On appeal the Court or jury may alter the award so returned,
whether of damages or benefits, and award costs in its dis-
cretion. On final ratification of any report of a commission
so appointed under the provisions of this section, the Clerk
to the County Commissioners shall at once record in a book
kept for that purpose said return, plat and all proceedings
connected therewith ; and if for any reason the person to
whom damages are awarded refuse to receive the damages
assessed or from infancy or from any other cause are pre-
vented from receiving or receipting for same, the damages so
assessed shall be deposited in some bank in St. Mary's County
paying interest on deposits, if any, to the credit of the person
entitled to such damages: and thereupon the County Com-