(1) Where there is no person competent to alienate land or to receive or to give a sufficient discharge for any compensation awarded, or where any person interested in land, by reason of his or her absence from Saint Lucia and of his or her not being represented therein by a duly authorised attorney, does not submit a statement to or appear before the authorised officer as required by section 7, and where such person after diligent inquiry, cannot be found, the authorised officer shall pay the compensation into the High Court to the credit of the person entitled.