(a)The Board at a meeting may compound for any ,period not exceeding one year with the person liable to pay the tax on any railway premises or any premises used as a factory, dockyard, workshop, mazdur depot, school, college, hospital, market, court-house or other similar place, for a certain sum to be paid by such pet:Son in lieu of the tax or, in the case of such premises or places may in lieu of levying the tax on the annual value of the holding levy it at a certain amount per head, to be fixed by the Board at a meeting, on the number of persons living within or habitually resorting to such premises or places.