WATER RIGHTS ON LOS ANGELES RIVER. 333 



It is a matter of common knowledge that in general the posting of a notice at the 

 place of intended diversion is farcical. Usually the posting is performed by attach 

 ing the paper to the rough bark of a convenient tree somewhere in the vicinitj-. 

 Tacks or nails are not often provided, and substitutes are made of two or more twigs 

 driven into knife punctures in the bark. Permanence of this notice is seldom deemed 

 desirable and is less often secured. The wind may tear it from its insecure fastening 

 a few minutes after being placed in position. If not destroyed bodily or blown 

 away the first rain may blur or the sun may fade its writing to illegibilit\'. But 

 what matter? By posting the notice and recording a copj' thereof within ten days 

 the claimant has complied with the law and has no further concern. If the public 

 or any individual sutfers through the insufficiency or the ephemeral character of the 

 notice, that is not to be regarded as the claimant's fault but as the other man's mis- 

 fortune. In very many cases a suitable tree not being at hand the notice is not 

 displayed to view in a conspicuous place at all but is folded, laid upon a bowlder or 

 on the ground, and weighted down by a stone. It would require diligent search to 

 bring to light all the notices which may be quietly reposing under stones in some of 

 our mountain canyons. 



The statute fails to require that the posted notice shall describe the geographical 

 position of the place of intended diversion. However, probably a majority of the 

 claims of record in Los Angeles Countj" recognize the desirability of giving such 

 information, and they attempt to furnish it. Unfortunately, in a vast number of cases, 

 the description of locality is so vague and indefinite as to fail utterh' in conveying 

 any useful information. Usualh' the facts set forth with most particularit}- are those 

 which are the most unnecessarj', because perfectly obvious, viz, that the places are 

 situated in Los Angeles County, Cal., and in many cases no more definite description 

 is given. Numerous statements like the following are found: "I claim the water 

 where I now stand," or '"where this notice is posted on a tree," or "in this canyon." 

 Following are a few quotations from recorded claims, and thej- constitute the only 

 inforaiation contained in the several notices as to the localities: 



We, the undersigned, claim this water from this monument and ditch for 3 miles down this 

 canyon. 



This water situated about 12 miles from the city of Los Angeles. 



Notice: The undersigned takes up this canyon and claims all this water running through this 

 and to run, 24 inches more or less for agricultural and mining purposes, this notice Ijeing posted at 

 both ends of said canyon. 



At a point above where the road crosses the stream and where the channel is depressed and the 

 banks are steep and precipitous, being about 8 feet high, the right bank being covered with rocks and 

 the left with trees. 



The water running in a north and south direction in this canyon. 



This notice is posted about 3 miles down the canyon from some three arastras run by steam 

 power, and about 400 yards above an old stamp mill on the same canyon or creek. 



At this point, being a short distance above a large bowlder situated in the bed of the creek. 



This notice is posted on a tree just below the water in the canyon. 



Many others of similar tenor are found. Frequently the only description is by 

 reference to some obscure local name of a canj^on, not shown upon any map, and 

 known to a few residents of the immediate locality only. 



The statute imposes no restriction upon the amount of water which may be 

 claimed. In matters of this sort the virtue of self-denial is one seldom displayed. 



