Section 49: Meetings of riverains

49. Meetings of riverains (1) Every meeting of riverains shall be called by written notice or circular intimated to them personally, or at their dwelling-houses, or to the occupants of the properties to which their respective rights apply. (2) (a) The syndic of any canal shall convene a meeting of riverains where required to do so in writing by 3 riverains. (b) Where there is no syndic, or the syndic fails to convene a meeting the District Magistrate shall convene the meeting. (3) (a) Every meeting of riverains required by this section may be convened by notices published twice in 3 daily newspapers at least 3 clear days before the day of meeting in addition to the notice or circular mentioned in subsection (1). (b) Where there is no occupant of the land receiving or entitled to water from the canal, a copy of the notice shall be posted up on the land. (4) Any usher’s certificate that there is no occupant of the land and that the notice has been posted up shall be evidence of those facts. (5) Every meeting of riverains shall be presided over by the syndic or joint-syndic, and, in their absence, by a riverain chosen by those present. (6) (a) At every meeting of riverains, 3 persons being riverains or their proxies, shall be a quorum, and the majority of the riverains present, or represented by proxies, shall decide. (b) The chairman shall have a casting vote, and if he is a riverain, he shall also have a deliberative vote. (7) Every decision by a majority, or carried by a casting vote shall be binding on all the riverains. [Issue 5] R25 – 12 Revised Laws of Mauritius 50. – 52. —