ON AGRICULTURE TO CANADA 



173 



instances have been included in schemes to secure supplies, even 

 at the times when rivers are at their lowest, and companies in turn 

 are being amalgamated, and their efforts consolidated. The legisla- 

 tion applicable to Saskatchewan and Alberta makes this consolida- 

 tion possible as all projects have to be approved by, and carried out 

 under the supervision of, a Government Department, and a con- 

 sistent policy is thus secured. " By this same provision much is 

 done to prevent ' Wild cat ' or ' Boom ' irrigation enterprises." 



At a comparatively early stage in the history of Irrigation it was 

 recognised that there must be legislation to regulate the rights of 

 parties, and secure that the available water should be used for the 

 greatest good of the country as a whole. In all times the claims 



HBADGATE OF IRRIGATION SYSTEM, NEAR CALGARY 



to water and water courses have been a fruitful source of litigation 

 and contention — the very word " Rival " having come into our 

 language through the troubles arising between claimants for river 

 rights and privileges. Consequently in 1898 the " North- West 

 Irrigation Act," was passed. Very shortly the main principles of 

 this Act may be summarised : — 



(1) That all streams, lakes, and other water sources are the 

 property of the Crown. 



(2) That water may be obtained by individuals and companies 

 f5r domestic, irrigation, and other purposes, and that on a clear 

 and indisputable title. 



(3) That the holders of water rights, thus secured, will have the 

 protection and assistance of the Government in the exercise of such 

 rights, and that all disputes and complaints arising from the diversion 



