Section Text
(1) whenever the retention of any land appropriated to the purpose of any irrigation work, may no longer be required, and the permanent relinquishment of the same may be deemed expedient, such land shall be restored by the Collector to the owner from which such land was originally taken on return of the compensation amount, if any, which was paid for such land when the same was taken for the purpose of the irrigation work.
(2) If persons who are entitled to the restoration of any land under this section or any of them, refuse or neglect to pay such price within a reasonable time after demand, the land shall be sold by the Collector as a revenue free holding for such price as he can obtain for the same.
(3) All sums obtained for lands conveyed under the provisions of this section shall, after the payment of all expenses incurred on account of the same, be applied to the payment of the cost of any new irrigation works, or of the expenses of maintaining any irrigation works affecting the said lands and other adjacent lands, in reduction of the amount chargeable upon the beneficiaries of the land benefited, as herein before provided, if any amount be so chargeable.