274 LAWS OF MARYLAND [CH. 137

persons, which appointment shall be made in the same
manner and subject to the same ratification as provided
in the first instance.

And the mayor, after the appointment, ratification and
acceptance of said commissioners, shall issue a commis-
sion in writing under his hand to them authorizing them
to exercise the powers and commanding them to perform
the duties hereinafter required of them.

[(4)] (e) The three persons so appointed shall within
five days after date of their commission, take oath before
a Justice of the Peace of Wicomico County, that they will
faithfully, fairly and without partiality or prejudice, esti-
mate, in money value, what amount, if any, of damages
will be caused by the proposed improvement to any property
over, through, by or near which the proposed improvement
will be made, or to the owner, or occupant of said property
or of any right or interest therein, and will likewise esti-
mate, in money value, what amount, if any, of benefit will
accrue by reason of the proposed improvement to any
property over, through, by or near which the proposed im-
provements will be made, or to the owner or occupant of
such property or of any right or interest therein. The said
persons, or a majority of them shall constitute and be a
commission with the powers and duties hereinafter speci-
fied.

[(5)1 (f) The said commission shall within five days
after having taken the aforesaid oath, give at least seven
days' notice by advertisement printed in one or more news-
papers published in the City of Salisbury, of its purpose
to meet and estimate damage caused and benefits accruing
by reason of the proposed improvement, and of the day,
hour and place of such meeting "and, in addition thereto,
the said commission shall send a copy of said notice by
registered mail to the owner of each piece of property af-
fected by said improvement, as shown by said ordinance,
and if the owner is an infant or non compos mentis, to
his guardian or committee, as disclosed by the proceedings,
at their last known address, and if the address of any owner
is unknown, then they shall post a copy of said notice upon
the property. "

[(6)] (g) The said committee shall meet at the time
and place mentioned in the notice given by it, and at such
other times as they may from time to time adjourn to, and
shall proceed:

(a) To estimate, in money value, what amount, if any,
of damages will be caused by the proposed improvement