In case of refusal or neglect of the parties interested as aforesaid, to raise and remove any such obstruction within the time specified in said notice, it shall be the further duty of said master warden to have it raised and removed at the expense of the owner, master, or agent; and the said canal boat, barge, or other vessel, together with the cargo thereof, shall be subject to a lien in the hands of the said master warden until the expenses of raising and removing shall be fully paid to him; and the said master warden is hereby authorized to sell at public auction to the highest bidder, for cash, all such property or so much thereof as is necessary to pay all the expenses of raising and removing, together with the penalty aforesaid, and shall return the surplus, if any, of such sale to such person or persons as shall be legally entitled to receive the same: Provided, That the master warden, before proceeding to sell any such property as aforesaid, shall give five days' notice by at least twenty handbills (printed), to be posted in conspicuous places along Delaware avenue, setting forth a full description of any such property to be sold, together with time and place of selling the same.
55 P.S. § 342