177. Any such railway company, contracting with any person or persons as aforesaid, for the construction or reconstruction, or repair of their railway or any part thereof, may, in default of any stipulation or provision for the payment of laborers or workmen in such contract, withhold payment to their contractors, until all moneys then due and owing to laborers and workmen have been paid.
The sums so withheld, however, shall not be greater than the sums due and owing to the laborers and workmen, and of which notice shall have been given to the company.
R. S. 1964, c. 290, s. 194.