8 LAWS OF MARYLAND [CH. 1

presented to the Court within 30 days after filing the de-
cision in the office of the Board.

(k) Upon the presentation of such petition, the Court
may allow an appeal to review such decision of the Board
of Zoning Appeals and shall prescribe therein the time
within which a return thereto must be made and served
upon the realtor's attorney, which shall not be less than 10
days and may be extended by the Court. The allowance of
the appeal shall not stay proceedings upon the decision ap-
pealed from, but the court may, on application, on notice to
the Board and on due cause shown, grant a restraining
order.

(l) The Board of Zoning Appeals shall not be required
to return the original papers acted upon by it, but it shall
be sufficient to return certified or sworn copies thereof or
such portions thereof as may be called for by such appeal.
The return shall concisely set forth such other facts as may
be pertinent and material to show the grounds of the de-
cision appealed from and shall be verified.

(m) If, upon the hearing, it shall appear to the court that
testimony is necessary for the proper disposition of the
matter, it may take evidence or appoint a commission to
take such evidence as it may direct and report the same to
the court with his findings of fact and conclusions of law,
which shall constitute a part of the proceedings upon which
the determination of the court shall be made. The court
may reverse or affirm, wholly or partly, or may modify the
decision brought up for review.

(n) All issues in any proceeding under this section shall
have preference over all other civil actions and proceedings.

227H. (a) The Mayor and Council of Pocomoke City
may provide by ordinance for the enforcement of this Act
and of any ordinance or regulation made thereunder. A
violation of this Act or of such ordinance or regulation is
hereby declared to be a misdemeanor and the Mayor and
Council of Pocomoke City may provide for the punishment
thereof by fine or imprisonment or both. It is also em-
powered to provide for civil penalties for such violation.

(b) In case any building or structure is erected, con-
structed, reconstructed, altered, repaired, converted, or
maintained, or any building, structure or land is used in
violation of this Act or of any ordinance or other regula-
tion made under authority conferred hereby, the proper
local authorities of the municipality, in addition to other