s 31 Backlanes to be levelled, paved, etc., by Authority
31.—(1) The Authority is to level, pave, metal, channel and drain, and may provide lighting for, all backlanes vested in the Government under section 30. (2) When the Authority has made up a backlane, the Authority may recover the costs and expenses of acquiring the land for, and of making up, the backlane from the owners of premises abutting on the backlane. (3) Such costs and expenses must be paid by the persons who are the owners of premises abutting on the backlane when the works are completed according to the frontage of their respective premises in such proportions as are settled by the Authority. (4) If the owner of any such premises is dissatisfied with the Authority’s apportionment of costs and expenses, that owner may, within 14 days of being notified of such apportionment, appeal to the Minister whose decision is final. (5) The Authority may, if it thinks fit, decide that in settling the apportionment regard must be had to the following considerations:(a) the degree of benefit accruing to any premises by the making up of the backlane; (b) the amount and value of any works already executed by the owners or occupiers of any such premises. (6) The Authority may, in any estimate of the costs and expenses of works, include reasonable charges in respect of survey and superintendence. (7) The Authority may, if it thinks fit, pay the whole or any part of the costs and expenses of the works and the payment of part of the costs and expenses may be made in such manner as the Authority thinks fit to the exclusion of other owners or to relieve one owner to a greater extent than the other owners. (8) Section 43 applies to any sum payable by the owners under this section.