J. MILLARD TAWES, GOVERNOR                               387

agreed upon, but before any part of the purchase price is paid, other
than a nominal sum of money to bind the agreement it shall be the
duty of the vendor or agent to furnish a statement to said Commis-
sion setting forth all names and addresses of persons having any
interest or claims against said property whatsoever, which shall be
verified by an oath in writing. Thereupon it shall be the duty of said
Commission to notify personally or by registered mail, return receipt
requested, all persons having any interest whatsoever in said prop-
erty, and in addition thereto the Commission shall give three (3)
weeks' notice of its intention to purchase said property in a news-
paper or newspapers published within said county where the property
is located and each person having any claim whatsoever against said
property shall file its, his or her claim with said Commission on or
before the expiration date mentioned in said notice at which time
any and all persons will be heard and their rights determined by
the Commission, which said hearing shall be final. In the event of
failure to agree to the purchase price or conditions of purchase of
said water or sewerage system, when privately owned, the said
Commission may acquire the same by condemnation in the same
manner as it is authorized to acquire land by this sub-title. In the
condemnation of privately owned water or sewerage systems the
jury shall take into consideration as a part of their award any pay-
ment, contribution or tax upon the respective lot owners or purchasers
toward the construction of said system, and where said system or
systems have been built in connection with or for the purpose of
developing home sites, subdivisions or villages, or by any individuals,
firm or corporation, and such system or systems have been offered
as an inducement for the purchase of lot or land therein, the jury
shall deduct from the determined value of the plant or system such
sum as it may reasonably determine was added to the purchase price
of said land or lots in the sale thereof for the purpose of constructing
said systems. Privately owned systems shall be taken under said
condemnation by the Commission free and clear of all debts and
liens, but said Commission shall make a party defendant any person,
firm or corporation having any recorded lien or encumbrance against
the same, and the Circuit Court is hereby empowered and authorized
to determine the respective amounts due the defendants, and from
and after payment into Court or to the proper parties the Commission
shall be authorized to take possession of, maintain and operate said
system, as part of its general system, and from the date of such
payment all properties along the line of any water main or sewer
of the system acquired shall stand in the same relation, bear the same
benefit assessment, and be subject to the same regulations and
penalties as though the system so acquired had been constructed and
put into operation by the Commission under the provisions of this
sub-title; provided, however, that no building or premises actually
connected in an adequate manner with the said acquired system at
the time of its purchase shall be required to pay any connection
charge.

(b) Whenever there is in existence a privately owned water supply
or sewerage system which in the judgment of the Commission is
unfit, as a whole or in part, for incorporation with the Commission's
system, the Commission ['shall] may disregard the existence of said
system or unfit part thereof and extend its system to serve the area
tributary to the existing system or unfit part thereof, and all the
provisions of this sub-title relating to systems constructed by the