§39-34  Disputed ownership.  Ifthere are two or more claimants claiming adversely, each to the other orothers, to be the holder in due course of the bonds or coupons alleged to havebeen lost, wholly or partially destroyed, defaced, or stolen, the director offinance, in the director of finance's discretion, may require the claimants, ifnot within the State, to appoint agents within the State to accept service ofprocess, or otherwise to submit to the jurisdiction of the courts of the State,and may bring suit on behalf of the State in the circuit court of the firstjudicial circuit, against the claimants, by interpleader, for the determinationof the claimant or claimants entitled to the payment of the bonds or coupons. Jurisdiction is hereby conferred upon the court to hear and determine, withouta jury, the suits and to determine whether any of the claimants are entitled tothe payment, and, if so, which of the claimants is so entitled; provided thatthe determination shall not dispense with the requirement of the giving of abond, before the payment of the claims.  The costs of the suit shall be borneby the claimants, and the court may decree the payment of the costs by any ofthe unsuccessful claimants, or the apportionment thereof, as may be deemedjust.  The decision of the court shall be appealable to the supreme court. [L1988, c 28, pt of §3]