Any person having a lawful interest in any land within the boundaries referred to in any petition as provided for in § 55-324 who wishes to contest such petition may have himself entered as a party defendant thereto. In case of such contest the court, without a jury, shall hear the evidence, and, if in doubt as to the facts, may appoint one or more persons to canvass such community and report to the court the number of persons residing within such boundaries, and also the names of all the freeholders residing therein, and whether the latter are for or against the petition.
Code 1950, § 8-896; 1977, c. 624.