Cap. 88 Art. 8Preliminary investigation.

(1) Whenever the President of Malta considers it desirable that any land should be examined with a view to its possible acquisition for any public purpose, he may make a declaration signed by him to that effect, and thereafter it shall be lawful for any person either generally or specially authorised by the competent authority in that behalf, and for his assistants and workmen to do all or any of the following things:

(a) to enter upon and survey and take levels of any such land is adapted for such purpose;

(d) to clear, set out and mark the boundaries of the land proposed to be taken and the intended line of work proposed to be made thereon: Provided that no person shall enter into any building or upon any court or garden attached to any dwelling-house except with the consent of the occupier thereof, without previously giving such occupier at least seven days notice of his intention to do so.

(2) As soon as conveniently may be after any entry made under subarticle (1), the competent authority shall pay for all damage done, and in case of dispute as to the amount to be paid, either the competent authority or the person claiming compensation may refer such dispute to the Board, whose decision shall be final.