368 LAWS OF MARYLAND. CH. 261

and expense of making the same; and the said Board of
Drainage Viewers shall adjudge thereof, and shall assess
against such persons respectively a sum proportional to
the benefits accruing to their lands. The sums so assessed
shall be sufficient to cover the costs of constructing or
improving such ditches or drains or other drainage works,
the payment of damages awarded (if any), the payment
of compensations for adopted improvements previously
constructed (if any), the expenses of the Board of Drain-
age Viewers, and the costs of forming the drainage organi-
zation.

46. The Board of Drainage Viewers may adopt as the
whole or as a part of the drainage improvements to be
provided under this sub-title, any ditch or ditches or drains
already constructed. They shall assess against each owner
of the lands benefited by such existing ditches or drains
previously constructed a sum proportional to the entire
benefits accruing to each such owner from the drainage
improvements, both existing and proposed. They shall
allow each owner of such lands a fair compensation, not
to exceed the above respective assessments, for the value
of the work already done on such ditches or drains. Such
compensation shall constitute an element of the costs of
the drainage improvements, and shall be paid to the owners
of the lands as hereinafter provided.

47. The Board of Drainage Viewers shall make out
and return to the Board of County Commissioners, at the
earliest practicable date, a written report, in triplicate,
which shall set forth:

1. Whether the proposed drainage is practicable.

2. Whether it will promote the public benefit or utility,
or the public health, convenience or welfare.

3. Whether the improvements proposed will benefit the
lands in question sufficiently to warrant the probable
expenditures.

4. The names of all persons entitled to damages, and
the amounts of the same.

5. The names of all persons entitled to compensations
for adopted improvements previously constructed,
and the amounts of the same.

6. The total estimated cost of the improvements, includ-
ing construction, damages, compensations, and organ-
ization expenses.

7. The sum or amount which each owner or possessor
or person benefited shall be assessed as his share of
the total cost of the drainage improvements, and its
proportion of the whole.