Whenever the canals or ditches for the reparation of which more than one person shall be bound under the provisions of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 156-11 shall need to be repaired, any of the persons so bound may notify the others thereof, and of the time he proposes to repair the same; and thereupon each of the persons shall jointly work on the same and contribute his proportion of labor till the same be repaired or the work cease by consent. (R.C., c. 40, s. 11; Code, s. 1307; Rev., s. 3992; C.S., s. 5271.)