The liability of any common carrier for the loss of or damage to any property delivered to him to be carried, not being of the description contained in the Schedule to this Act, shall not be deemed to be limited or affected by any public notice; but any such carrier, not being the owner of a railroad or tram road constructed under the provisions of {See now the Land-Acquisition Act, 1894 (1 of 1894), s.2} Act 22 of 1863 (to provide for taking land for works of public utility to be constructed by private persons or Companies and for regulating the construction and use of works on land so taken) may, by special contract, signed by the owner of such property so delivered as last aforesaid or by some person duly authorized in that behalf by such owner, limit his liability in respect of the same.