If an execution defendant shall be absent from his place of residence when the appraisement by the appraisers is completed, and cannot readily be found, or refuses to make selection from the personal property inventoried and appraised as provided by this article, such selection may be made by the wife or family of such defendant, or by the appraisers, and the statement annexed to and returned with the execution shall be signed accordingly.

L.1951 (1st SS), c.344.