85 



(10) The second claps covers the excavation and cleaning of pmall canals, small 

 works where masonry is not needed, and repair of masonry works. Contractors 

 shall submit bids to the governor for work of this class. The inspector shall sub- 

 mit to the governor a copy of the specifications. The bids shall be opened and a 

 contractor chosen to the satisfaction of l)Oth the governor and the inspector or his 

 assistant. It is not necessary to accept the lowest bid. In work of this class the 

 governor must always judge as to the reliability of the bidders. The governor 

 should, if possible, favor local contractors. 



CANALS AND LEVEES. 



[Decree of February ■>■!, 1.S94, foncerniuK regulations reganliiiK <-anals and levees.] 

 , PUBLIC CANALS AND LEVEES. 



Article 1. The word "canal" refers to a water course which serves for the entire 

 or partial irrigation of the lands of more than two villages. All canals of this kind 

 are considered public property. They are generally constructed and maintained at 

 government expense and are a part of the public domain. 



The use and occupation of banks of canals are permitted only under certain 

 restrictions laid down in article 21 of this decree. 



PRIVATE DITCHES. 



Article 2. By the word " rigole " is understood a water course which serves for tlie 

 irrigation of the land of one or two villages or of land l^elonging to one person or to 

 a single family living in one community even if belonging to several villages. 



All rigoles are considered private property. The cost of construction and mainte- 

 nance is borne by those who derive profit from the works. 



In case of delay in cleaning these works the government may perform the work 

 at the expense of the prf)prietors. The sum thus spent will be distributed by the 

 governor in proportion to the taxes paid by each, and it will be collected in con- 

 formity with the provisions of the decree of March 25, 1880. 



However, if a ditch serves for the irrigation of 1,000 acres belonging t(j one or 

 several persons it can always, upon request of the owners, be co^sidered a public 

 waterway. 



DRAINS. 



Article 3. The word "drain" indicates a channel in the earth for carrying away 

 rain water, drainage water, or water from irrigated fields. 



A drain is public when it serves more than two villages; private when it serv'es one 

 or two only, unless it drains a surface of more than 2,000 acres in area, when it is 

 considered a public work, although it may be situated in one village. 



The public drains are maintained by the government and the private drains by 

 the parties interested. The provisions of the second paragraph of the preceding 

 article are applicable to private drains. 



WORKS FOR PROTECTION AGAINST ININDATIOX. 



Article 4. "Works for protection against inundation " are levees, transverse and 

 longitudinal dikes, and all structures serving to protect farms and villages fr.jni the 

 overflow of water. 



These works are considered public i)roperty and are wholly under government 

 control. 



Private levees upon the banks of the Nile, or those which form the boundaries of 

 the basins and which are constructed by the owners, nmst be maintained at the 

 expense of those benefited. 



