When a contest arises between two or more persons concerning the right of such persons to purchase any portion of the land granted to the State for the use of an agricultural college, if either party demands a trial in the courts of the State, the land agent of the university, as the agent of the State, shall make an order, referring the contest to the superior court of the county in which the land involved is situated, and shall enter the order in the proper record book of his office. The party making such demand shall prosecute his contest to judgment within six months from the date of the demand, unless for cause satisfactory to the court. Either party may bring an action in the superior court of the county in which the land in question is situated, to determine the conflict. The proffer of a certified copy of the entry, made by the agent, shall give the superior court full and complete jurisdiction to hear and determine the conflict. Upon the filing, with the agent, of a copy of the final judgment of the court, he shall issue the certificate of purchase, or other evidence of title, in accordance with the final judgment.

(Added by Stats. 1943, Ch. 609.)