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Show 774 to refer the proceedings to the Supervisor for the taking of testimony as referee. When the transcript and report have been filed, the court hears the matter and renders its decree. Supervision of public waters and administration of the provisions of the water appropriation statutes are vested in the Supervisor of Hydraulics, who has supervision over the distribution of water according to rights and priorities.395 He is authorized to designate water districts from time to time as required, and to appoint watermasters therefor upon petition by interested parties. He is also required to appoint stream patrolmen for designated streams the water rights of which have been adjudicated, upon application of interested parties and approval of the district watermaster if one has been appointed for such area, for whatever periods of time local con- ditions justify. Wyoming The constitution of Wyoming declares that the control of water must be in the State, which in providing for its use shall guard equally all the various interests involved.396 It declares also that the water of all natural streams, springs, lakes or other collections of still water within the State are the property of the State; that priority of appropriation for beneficial uses shall give the better right; and that no appropriation shall be denied except when such denial is demanded by the public interests.397 The constitution provides for the appointment of a State Engineer; for the division of the State by the legislature into four water divisions and the appointment of superintendents thereof; and for a Board of Control to be composed of the State Engineer and superin- tendents of the water divisions, the State Engineer being president.398 The supervision of the waters of the State and of their appropriation, distribution, and diversion is vested by the constitution in the Board of Control, its decisions being made subject to review by the courts.399 An appropriative right is initiated by making application to the State Engineer for a permit to make the appropriation; and the final step, after the appropriation has been perfected in accordance with the permit, is the adjudication of the right by the Board of Control and the issuance by the Board of a certificate of appropriation.400 Since the adoption of the present water-appropriation statute in 1890, at the first session of the State legislature, compliance with the procedure so provided for the acquisition of water rights is a condition precedent to 896 Wash. Rem. Rev. Stats., §§ 7351-1 to 7351-4 and 7355 to 7363. 899 Wyo. Const., art. I, § 31. 897 Wyo. Const., art. VIII, §§ 1 and 3. 888 Wyo. Const., art. VIII, §§ 2, 4, and 5. 899 Wyo. Const., art. VIII, § 2. ,<<w Wyo. Comp. Stats., 1945, §§ 71-238 to 71-250. |