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<br />001103 <br /> <br />'. <br /> <br />others out of the third; and, in some instances, apportioned the rights <br />of the oonsumers in all three of the priori ties; that is, the rights of the <br />oonsumers in the respeotive priorities appear to have been based upon tha <br />order their rights attaohed. aocording to the date of their respective <br />oontraots. It may be that, when the faots justify it, consumers of water <br />supplied through the same ditch would have different priorities of right. <br />Suoh, however, is not the general rule. On the contrary, all oonsumers, <br />generally speaking, have the right to be supplied fi'om all the priorities <br />deoreed the ditoh through Which they are supplied, whose rights by virtue <br />of prior use aggregate the volume of suoh priorities. and in suoh oircum- <br />stanoes stand upon an equal plane. In a oase where the first appropriation <br />deoreed a ditohwas designed for some particular purpose or enterprise. and <br />later priorities awarded were to supply a different olass or group of oon- <br />sumers from the first, then the later priorities would be as distinct as if <br />used through separate canals. and the rights of the different olasses of <br />consumers would attach only to the respective priorities awarded for their <br />respeotive use. lihat the testimony may establish on the subject of whether <br />the several priorities decreed the ditch were award(ld to supply distinot <br />olasses of oonsumers. .Ie do not express any opinior., If it does not, then <br />the consumers, including the oity, entitled to be EV?plied with water through <br />the ditch in question. whose aggregate rights equal tha aggregate volume of <br />priorities awarded the ditch, stand upon an equal ple.ne, and the water privi- <br />lege of each extends alike to all the water deoreeci the ditoh. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />AJ3 stated in the early part of this opinion. we did not purpose going <br />into the testimony in detail, in order to asoertain in what specifio in- <br />stance the decree of the court was erroneous; but as it was clear the court <br />had adopted an erroneous theory in disposing of the case, much to the pre- <br />judioe of the appellant. VTe would refer to such material facts as were nec- <br />essary to consider in announcing the rules of law whioh must be applied in <br />fixing the relative rights of the parties to the action. We thinJc so far <br />as we are able to gather from the briefs of counsel. that we have done so, <br />and that from the pleadings and evidence. the trial oourt. with the aid of ".:U <br />counsel. by a oareful consideration of the very voluminous pleadings and <br />testimony. oan asoertain the faots upon whioh a decree should be based. in <br />accordance with the views expressed in this opinion. We shall therefore, <br />vacate the judgment and decree of the trial court as to all parties to whom <br />an award was made. but as to those denied an award. tha judgment and deoree <br />will not be disturbed, and remand the cause of proceedings as herein dir- <br />ected. In remooding the oase for disposition as indioated. the oourt Will <br />dispose of it without any further pleadings or testimony. exoept, if <br />Offered. testimony to establish the relative rights of the parties in and <br />to the respective priorities awarded the ditoh should be received and con- <br />sidered. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />In fixing the rights of individual contract oonsumers the decree must <br />provide, in an appropriate way. for the payment of lawful carriage rates, <br />and that while the deoree will put in permanent form the relative rights of <br />contract consumers, it must be borne in mind that these rights are based <br />upon contracts, and that they may be lost, if the parties only intermittent.- <br />ly avail themselves of the right to exercise and enjoy them. The deoree <br />should make appropriate provision in this nlspect. so that the city, as well <br />as the bona fide applicants for water from the ditch in the future. may be <br />fully proteoted. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Judgment vaoated in part and cause remanded with direotions. <br />Decision en bane. <br />Decided November 3d. A.D. 1913. Rehearing denied February 2d. A.D. 1914. <br />-11- <br />