Burnet v. A. T. Jergins Trust

Prior to 1911-the city of Long Beach, California, procured water from companies owning and operating artesian wells on lands lying outside the city. The service proving inadequate and unsatisfactory, the municipality in 1911 acquired these lands, comprising about 600 acres, and the appurtenant systems, and has since used the tract for water supply and other purposes. In 1922 oil was discovered in the vicinity, and the respondent was organized under the law of California with the intention of obtaining an oil and gas lease on ¡the lands in question. The city leased to the respondent 140 acres,…