A Clause was offered to be added to the Bill, for giving an Appeal to Quarter Sessions,[494] and this was agreed to. Other clauses to restrain the Commissioners from setting out a road over Laleham South Field and for saving the rights of tithe owners were also added.
The Bill passed both Houses and received the Royal Assent, June 22, 1774.
Main Features of Act.—(Private, 14 George III. c. 114.)
Commissioners.—Three appointed:—Ralph Gowland, Esq., of Laleham; Thomas Jackman of Guildford; Henry Brumbridge of Thorpe.
Two a quorum. Vacancies to be filled by remaining Commissioners from persons not interested in allotments or division.
Surveyor or surveyors to be appointed by Commissioners.
Payment.—Nothing stated.
A special clause enacting that they are to make the division and allotment on or before December 24, 1774, ‘or as soon after as conveniently may be done.’[495]
Claims.—All claims to be delivered in writing with particulars of right or title in respect of which claim is made at 1st or 2nd meeting. If any claim is objected to at 1st, 2nd, or 3rd meeting by another claimant then the Commissioners can hear and determine, and their determination is final and binding. Exception.—If a claimant refuses to refer the matter to the Commissioners, then he or she can bring an action at law against the objector on an issue to be settled if necessary by the officer of the Court. But if the claimant whose claim is objected to fails to bring the action, and still refuses to refer the question to the Commissioners, then (after 3 months) he loses all his rights.
There is also a clause ‘for the better settling the Rights and Claims of all the said parties so interested and concerned as aforesaid’ by which it is enacted that in case any difference touching rights and claims arises between any of the parties so interested and concerned, the Commissioners have power to hear and finally determine the same, ‘which Determination shall be binding and conclusive to all Parties.’