Sec. 17. If there are adverse or conflicting claimants to the money, or any part of it, to be paid as compensation for the real estate taken, the court may direct the money to be paid into the said court by the company, or take security for the same until it can determine who is entitled to the same, and shall direct to whom the same shall be paid, and may, in its discretion, order a reference, to ascertain the facts on which such determination and order are to be made.

Formerly: Acts 1852, 1RS, c.83, s.16.