( 1 ) THIS appeal arises out of proceedings for the acquisition of 10,900 Sq. feet of land in T. S. No. 79 of Guntur town. The said land was required by the Guntur Municipality for the High level Service Reservoir for Guntur Water Supply Scheme. The Commissioner of the Guntur Municipality by his letter D/- 16-9-1953 applied for the acquisition of that land for the above purpose. Even prior to the request by the Commissioner the Municipality seems to have taken possession of the land on 30-11-1950. In response to the Commissioners request, proceedings for the acquisition of the land were started under the Land Acquisition Act (hereinafter referred to as "the Act") and notification under Section 4 (1) of the Act was published on 12-4-1956. The Land Acquisition Officer gave his award on 31-3-1958, whereby he assessed the value of the land at Rs. 8 per sq yard. he awarded 15 per cent solatium on the said amount and awarded interest on the compensation at 6 per cent from 30-11-1950 when the land was taken possession of by the Municipality till 31-3-1958, the date of award. The total compensation awarded was Rs. 16,044-80. As the respondents herein requested that a referen