AZ vs. CA:04 California Exhibits, Vol. IV; Nos. 151-192

page 7

-7- place an existing structure, it was not necessary to secure their Government's approval to the work. I immediately engaged W. F. Holt, As Contractor to complete the structure, whereupon said Contractor took charge and carried the work to a successful completion, without interruption on Andrade's part, even in view of the fact that none but regular employees of mine were employed by Mr. Holt, he being merely a dummy contractor. In January 1912, Andrade addressed the following communication to me as Receiver, at which time he also took forcible possession of all of the Mexican headgates through which water is delivered to the United States: "A. F. Andrade, Depositario, La Sociedad de Irrigacion y Terrenos de la Baja California, S. A., Mexicali, Mex. Jan. 18, 1912. The California Development Company, and to Mr. W. H. Holabird, Receiver thereof, Los Angeles, and Calexico, Cal. Gentlemen :- In my capacity as Depositario of the Sociedad de Irrigacion y Terrenos de la Baja California, S. A. the law requires that I shall have absolute control of all lands and water systems of said company lying and situated in the Republic of Mexico, and, consequently, all orders for water to be supplied from the canals of said Company should come from me or on my direction. In accordance therewith, upon my application to the Court of First Instance of Mexicali, under date of January 16th, 1912, the work was suspended on the Weir situated about two miles east of Sharp's Heading and which you have been heretofore constructing.