reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
NC Gen Stat § 156-24 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 156 - Drainage|Article 1 - Jurisdiction in Clerk of Superior Court.|§ 156-24 - Obstructing drain cut by consent.

 156-24. Obstructing drain cut by consent.If any person shall stop or in any way obstruct the passage of the water in any ditch or canal having been cut through lands of any person by consent of the owner of said land, before giving the interested parties a reasonable time to comply with the mode of proceedings provided for the drainage of lowlands, he shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor. (1891, c. 434; Rev., s. 3376; C.S., s. 5282; 1993, c. 539, s. 1071; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c).)
NC Gen Stat § 156-25 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 156 - Drainage|Article 1 - Jurisdiction in Clerk of Superior Court.|§ 156-25 - Protection of canals, ditches, and natural drains.

 156-25. Protection of canals, ditches, and natural drains.If any person shall fell any tree in any ditch, canal, or natural drainway of any farm, unless he shall remove the same and put such ditch, canal, or natural drainway in as good condition as it was before such tree was so felled; or if any person shall stop up or fill in such ditch, canal, or drainway and thereby obstruct the free passage of water along the said ditch, canal, or drainway, unless the said person shall first secure the written consent of the landowner, and those damaged by such obstruction in said ditch, canal, or drainway, or unless such person so filling in and stopping up such ditch, canal, or drainway shall, upon the demand of the person so damaged, clean out and put the said ditch, canal, or drainway in as good condition as the same was before such filling in and stopping up of the said ditch, canal, or drainway happened, he shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor. (1901, c. 478; Rev., s. 3382; C.S., s. 5283; 1993, c. 539, s. 1072; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c).)
NC Gen Stat § 156-27 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 156 - Drainage|Article 1 - Jurisdiction in Clerk of Superior Court.|§ 156-27 - Recovery for benefits; payment of damages.

 156-27. Recovery for benefits; payment of damages.After the drainway herein provided for shall be completed the person, firm, or corporation cutting or digging the same shall be entitled to recover of the landowners owning that part of the land with reference to which no contract for compensating those cutting or digging the drainway may have been made, an amount equal to the benefits to accrue to such lands by reason of the drainway, and shall be required by the clerk of the superior court to pay to any landowner the amount of damages in excess of benefits which may be done to the land to be determined in the manner hereinafter provided: Provided, that the recovery from any owner of the land shall be limited to the benefits to accrue to that land owned by such person, and situated in such swamp or lowlands or adjacent thereto; and provided further, that the amount to be so recovered as herein provided for until fully paid shall be and constitute a lien upon such land, the lien to be in force regardless of who may own the land at the time the amount to be recovered as compensation for digging or cutting the drainway shall be determined. (1917, c. 273, s. 2; C.S., s. 5285.)
NC Gen Stat § 156-28 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 156 - Drainage|Article 1 - Jurisdiction in Clerk of Superior Court.|§ 156-28 - Notice to landowners; assessments made by viewers.

 156-28. Notice to landowners; assessments made by viewers.After the completion of the main drainway, upon the application of the person, firm, or corporation, or their heirs or assigns, digging or cutting the same, the clerk of the superior court of the county in which any land through which the drainway may pass is situated shall issue a notice to be served by the sheriff upon any person who may have failed to agree with the person, firm, or corporation digging or cutting such drainway, upon a compensation to be paid by the landowner for the digging or cutting of such drainway, notifying the landowner that on a certain day, which shall be named in the notice and not less than 20 days from the date of the issuing of the notice, the clerk of the superior court will appoint three competent and disinterested persons, one of whom may be a surveyor, and none of whom shall own land to be affected by the drainway, to view the land so drained and for which no compensation for the drainage may have been agreed upon as aforesaid, and report to the clerk of the superior court what amount shall be paid therefor by the various landowners who may have failed to arrange for and agree upon the compensation for the drainage as aforesaid, and the amount of damages in cases where the damages have exceeded the benefits, which shall be paid to the landowners by the person, firm, or corporation cutting or digging such canal or drainway. In making the appointment of the viewers the clerk of the superior court shall hear any objections which may be advanced by those interested to any of the persons the clerk may consider to be appointed as viewers, but the clerk shall name those whom he considers best qualified. (1917, c. 273, s. 3; C.S., s. 5286.)
NC Gen Stat § 156-29 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 156 - Drainage|Article 1 - Jurisdiction in Clerk of Superior Court.|§ 156-29 - Report filed; appeal and jury trial.

 156-29. Report filed; appeal and jury trial.A report signed by two of the persons appointed as viewers shall be entered by the clerk as the report of the viewers. Any landowner affected by the report, and the person, firm, or corporation digging or cutting the drainway, has the right of appeal and the right to have any issue arising upon the report tried by a jury, provided exceptions shall be filed to the report within 20 days after the filing of the report with the clerk, in which exceptions so filed may be a demand for a jury trial. If a jury trial is demanded, the clerk shall transfer the proceedings to the civil-issue docket, and it shall be heard as other civil actions. If no jury trial is demanded, the clerk shall hear the parties upon the exceptions filed, and appeal may be had as in special proceedings except as modified by this section, but no jury trial may be had unless demanded as provided in this section. (1917, c. 273, s. 4; C.S., s. 5287; 1999-216, s. 17.)
NC Gen Stat § 156-30 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 156 - Drainage|Article 1 - Jurisdiction in Clerk of Superior Court.|§ 156-30 - Confirmation of report.

 156-30. Confirmation of report.Unless an appeal is taken, the clerk of superior court shall confirm the report of the viewers. If exceptions are filed and no jury trial is demanded, the clerk shall hear the exceptions and enter judgment as in other special proceedings. If the report is confirmed by the clerk because no exceptions or demand for a jury trial is filed, the judgment of confirmation is the judgment of the court. Any judgment entered against the person, firm, or corporation cutting or digging the drainway is a judgment against the person, firm, or corporation and against the surety on the bond required by G.S. 156-26. (1917, c. 273, s. 5; C.S., s. 5288; 1999-216, s. 18.)
NC Gen Stat § 156-31 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 156 - Drainage|Article 1 - Jurisdiction in Clerk of Superior Court.|§ 156-31 - Payment in installments.

 156-31. Payment in installments.The amount to be recovered from any person as compensation for digging or cutting the drainway after the amount shall be definitely determined as herein provided for, shall be payable in five equal annual installments, the first payable one year from the filing of the report of the viewers with the clerk of the superior court, and one payment on the same day of each year thereafter until the full amount be paid. The amount to be recovered from the person, firm, or corporation cutting or digging the drainway, on account of any damages in excess of benefits to the lands of any landowner, shall be payable in one installment which shall be due and payable one year from the filing of the report of the viewers with the clerk of the superior court. (1917, c. 273, s. 6; C. S., s. 5289.)
NC Gen Stat § 156-32 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 156 - Drainage|Article 2 - Jurisdiction in County Commissioners.|§ 156-32 - Petition filed; board appointed; refusal to serve misdemeanor.

 156-32. Petition filed; board appointed; refusal to serve misdemeanor.Upon the petition of three citizens in any county to the county commissioners, petitioning for the draining of any creek, swamp, or branch, either upon the plea of health or to promote and advance the agricultural interest of the farmers who may own lands lying on such creek, swamp, or branch petitioned to be drained, the county commissioners shall within 10 days after the filing of such petition order the county surveyor to summon three disinterested freeholders, good and lawful men of intelligence and discretion, who shall constitute a board, and the county surveyor shall be the chairman of such board; and the chairman shall give all persons who may be interested in having such creek, swamp, or branch drained three days' notice of the time and place of the meeting of the board: Provided, the petitioners shall deposit with the county treasurer the sum of twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for the payment of current expenses not otherwise provided for in this Article. Any person duly summoned by the county surveyor to act as a commissioner for the drainage of any such creek, swamp, or branch, who shall refuse to serve, shall be guilty of a Class 3 misdemeanor. (1887, c. 267; Rev., ss. 3379, 4011; C.S., s. 5290; 1993, c. 539, s. 1073; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c).)
NC Gen Stat § 156-33 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 156 - Drainage|Article 2 - Jurisdiction in County Commissioners.|§ 156-33 - Duty of board; refusal to comply with their requirements misdemeanor.

 156-33. Duty of board; refusal to comply with their requirements misdemeanor.The board provided for in G.S. 156-32 shall meet at the call of the chairman and shall proceed to inspect and examine the lands as described in the petition to be drained, and the board shall have power to summon witnesses, administer oaths, and take testimony, and if the board decides that the lands specified in the petition shall be drained, either upon the plea of health or for the benefit of the farms lying on or contiguous to such watercourse, then the board shall select a place at which the ditch shall be begun. They shall also decide the depth and width of the ditch to be dug, and shall proceed to survey, locate, lay off, and mark the course of the ditch, and the board shall assign to the landowners the amount of the labor to be performed and the amount of money to be paid for the purpose of defraying the necessary expenses by each landowner in proportion to the amount of lands drained or pro rata benefits received by the drainage of such lands, and the board shall specify the time in which the work so assigned shall be completed: Provided, no one shall be required to commence on the work assigned to him until the person next below him shall have completed his work in accordance with the specifications of the board. If any person shall refuse to comply with any of the requirements of the board he shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor. (1887, c. 267, ss. 2, 7; Rev., ss. 3377, 4012; C.S., s. 5291; 1993, c. 539, s. 1074; 1994, Ex. Sess., c. 24, s. 14(c).)
NC Gen Stat § 156-34 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 156 - Drainage|Article 2 - Jurisdiction in County Commissioners.|§ 156-34 - Report filed.

 156-34. Report filed.The board shall make a written report to the county commissioners showing all the acts and decisions of the board as to the length, depth, and width of the ditch, the names of all the owners of the lands that will be drained, and the amount of work to be performed and the amount of money to be paid by each person benefited by such drainage. But in case the board determines that the lands described in the petition shall not be drained, then the expenses of the board shall be paid out of the funds deposited with the county treasurer by the petitioners. (1887, c. 267, s. 3; Rev., s. 4013; C.S., s. 5292.)
NC Gen Stat § 156-35 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 156 - Drainage|Article 2 - Jurisdiction in County Commissioners.|§ 156-35 - Owners to keep ditch open.

 156-35. Owners to keep ditch open.All persons whose lands shall be drained under the provisions of this Article shall keep the ditch on their lands clear of all rafts of logs, brush, or any trash that will obstruct the flow of water through the ditch. (1887, c. 267, s. 4; Rev., s. 4014; C.S., s. 5293.)
NC Gen Stat § 156-36 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 156 - Drainage|Article 2 - Jurisdiction in County Commissioners.|§ 156-36 - Compensation of board.

 156-36. Compensation of board.The compensation of the board shall be as follows: The county surveyor shall receive three dollars ($3.00) per day and the other members shall receive one dollar and fifty cents ($1.50) per day while engaged in the duties imposed in this Chapter. (1887, c. 267, s. 5; Rev., s. 4015; C.S., s. 5294.)
NC Gen Stat § 156-37 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 156 - Drainage|Article 3 - Manner of Organization.|§ 156-37 - Petition filed in superior court.

 156-37. Petition filed in superior court.Any proprietor in fee of swamplands, which cannot be drained except by cutting a canal through the lands of another or other proprietor in fee, situated at a lower level and which would also be materially benefited by the cutting of such canal, who desires that such canal be cut on the terms on which it is hereinafter allowed, may apply by petition, setting forth the facts, to the superior court of the county in which any of the lands through which the canal will pass may lie. (1868-9, c. 164, s. 2; Code, s. 1311; Rev., s. 3996; C.S., s. 5295.)
NC Gen Stat § 156-38 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 156 - Drainage|Article 3 - Manner of Organization.|§ 156-38 - Commissioners appointed; report required.

 156-38. Commissioners appointed; report required.On the establishment by the petitioner of his allegations, the court shall appoint three persons as commissioners who, having been duly sworn, shall examine the premises and inquire and report:(1) Whether the lands of the petitioner can be conveniently drained otherwise than through those of some other person.(2) Through the lands of what other persons a canal to drain the lands of the petitioner would properly pass, considering the interests of all concerned.(3) A description of the several pieces of lands through which the canal would pass, and the present values of such portions of the pieces of lands as would be benefited by it, and the reasons for arriving at the conclusion as to the benefit.(4) The route and plan of the canal, including its breadth, depth, and slope, as nearly as they can be calculated, with all other particulars necessary for calculating its cost.(5) The probable cost of the canal and of a road on its bank, and of such other work, if any, as may be necessary for its profitable use.(6) The proportion of the benefit (after a deduction of all damages) which each proprietor would receive by the proposed canal and a road on its bank if deemed necessary and in which each ought, in equity and justice, to pay toward their construction and permanent support.(7) With their report they shall return a map explaining, as accurately as may be, the various matters required to be stated in their report. (1868-9, c. 164, s. 3; Code, s. 1312; Rev., s. 3997; C.S., s. 5296.)
NC Gen Stat § 156-39 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 156 - Drainage|Article 3 - Manner of Organization.|§ 156-39 - Surveyor employed.

 156-39. Surveyor employed.The commissioner may employ a surveyor to prepare the map required to accompany their report. (1868-9, c. 164, s. 4; Code, s. 1313; Rev., s. 3998; C.S., s. 5297.)
NC Gen Stat § 156-40 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 156 - Drainage|Article 3 - Manner of Organization.|§ 156-40 - Confirmation of report.

 156-40. Confirmation of report.If it appear that the lands on the lower level will be increased in value twenty-five percent (25%) or upwards by the proposed improvement, within one year after the completion thereof, and that the cost of making such improvement will not exceed three fourths of the present estimated value of the land to be benefited, and that the proprietors of at least one half in value of the land to be affected consent to the improvement, the court may confirm such report, either in full or with such modifications therein as shall be just and equitable. (1868-9, c. 164, s. 5; Code, s. 1314; Rev., s. 3999; C.S., s. 5298.)
NC Gen Stat § 156-41 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 156 - Drainage|Article 3 - Manner of Organization.|§ 156-41 - Proprietors become a corporation.

 156-41. Proprietors become a corporation.Upon a final adjudication, confirming the report, the proprietors of the several pieces of land adjudged to be benefited by the improvement shall be declared a corporation, of which the capital stock shall be double the estimated cost of the improvements, and in which the several owners of the land adjudged to be benefited shall be corporators, holding shares of stock in the proportions in which they are adjudged liable for the expense of making and keeping up the improvement. (1868-9, c. 164, s. 6; Code, s. 1315; Rev., s. 4000; C.S., s. 5299.)
NC Gen Stat § 156-42 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 156 - Drainage|Article 3 - Manner of Organization.|§ 156-42 - Organization; corporate name, officers and powers.

 156-42. Organization; corporate name, officers and powers.The clerk of the court of the county in which the proceeding is pending or any corporator, who is a petitioner, may call a meeting of the corporators, at which meeting the corporators shall choose a name for the corporation, unless the commissioners selected the name, elect a president, vice-president, secretary and treasurer, but said officers shall be chosen or elected from the corporators who are petitioners in the proceeding; and they shall also choose or elect a board of directors and they shall be chosen or elected from the corporators who are petitioners in the proceeding. The corporators shall also make all bylaws and regulations, not contrary to law, which may be necessary and proper for effecting the purpose of the corporation, but said duty may be delegated to the board of directors. They shall fix the number of shares of stock, and assign to each proprietor or corporator his proper number, but this duty and right may be delegated to and done by the board of directors. The board of directors shall have such powers as are generally given to directors under the corporation law of the State; and they shall assess the sums or amount which shall be paid by each proprietor or corporator in conformity with and in compliance with the report of the commissioners on which the corporation is based. When said assessments against said proprietors or corporators and their lands affected are duly certified to the clerk of the superior court of the county in which such proceeding was instituted, the same shall be passed upon by the clerk of court and when approved by the clerk, said assessments shall become judgments against the several proprietors, corporators and owners so assessed, and the same shall be liens on the lands of the owners or corporators against whom said assessments were made and judgments entered, subject only to taxes, but said judgments shall be judgments in rem only. The board of directors will also have power, if they deem it proper, to fix and prescribe the time, mode and manner of payment; and do such other things as are necessary for the construction, enlargement and keeping up or maintaining said canal and improvement. In every meeting of the corporators or stockholders, each proprietor or corporator shall have one vote for each share of stock owned by him. (1868-9, c. 164, s. 7; Code, s. 1316; Rev., s. 4001; C.S., s. 5300; 1939, c. 180, s. 1.)
NC Gen Stat § 156-44 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 156 - Drainage|Article 4 - Rights and Liabilities in the Corporation.|§ 156-44 - Shares of stock annexed to land.

 156-44. Shares of stock annexed to land.The ownership of the shares of stock is indissolubly annexed to the ownership of the pieces of land adjudged to be benefited by the improvement; and such shares, or a part thereof proportionate to the area of such land that may descend or be conveyed for any longer time than three years, shall, upon such descent or conveyance, descend and pass with the land, even although such shares be not mentioned in the deed of conveyance, and although their transfer be forbidden by such deed so that every owner of such land in possession, except a tenant for a term of years, not exceeding three, and every owner in reversion or remainder after a term not exceeding three years, shall, during his ownership, be entitled to all the rights and privileges and be subject to all the obligations and burdens of a corporator. Every attempted sale of shares otherwise than as annexed to the land shall be void. (1868-9, c. 164, s. 8; Code, s. 1317; Rev., s. 4002; C.S., s. 5302.)
NC Gen Stat § 156-45 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 156 - Drainage|Article 4 - Rights and Liabilities in the Corporation.|§ 156-45 - Shareholders to pay assessments.

 156-45. Shareholders to pay assessments.Every corporator shall be bound to obey the lawful bylaws of the company, and pay all dues lawfully assessed on him: Provided, he shall in no case pay more than his proportion of the expenses as fixed by this Subchapter; and such dues may be collected in the corporate name in any court having jurisdiction; and every assessment duly docketed in the county where the land to be affected lies shall be a lien on the lands of the debtor which are connected with the corporation from the date of such docketing. (1868-9, c. 164, s. 9; Code, s. 1318; Rev., s. 4003; C.S., s. 5303.)
NC Gen Stat § 156-46 (2021)
2021 North Carolina General Statutes|Chapter 156 - Drainage|Article 4 - Rights and Liabilities in the Corporation.|§ 156-46 - Payment of dues entitles to use of canal.

 156-46. Payment of dues entitles to use of canal.Every corporator paying his dues legally assessed without regard to the number of his shares, shall be entitled to the full and free use of the canal for drainage and navigation, and of the road for passage and transportation. Bylaws may be made to regulate these rights, but not so as to produce an inequality. (1868-9, c. 164, s. 10; Code, s. 1319; Rev., s. 4004; C.S., s. 5304.)