(1)Save as provided in the preceding section, whenever a dispute arises between two or more persons in regard to their mutual rights and liabilities in respect of the ownership, construction, use or maintenance of a canal or water-course, and any such person applies in writing to the Collector stating the matter in dispute, the Collector shall give notice to the other person or persons interested that on a day to be named in such notice or any such day to which the proceedings may be adjourned, he will proceed to inquire into the matter in dispute.(2)Upon the day so named or any such subsequent day as aforesaid, the Collector shall proceed to hear and determine the dispute in the following manner, that is to say-(a)If the dispute relates to the ownership of a canal or the mutual rights of owners in the use of the water of such canal or the construction or maintenance of a canal or the payment of any share of the costs of such construction or maintenance or the distribution of the supply of water from a canal, the Collector shall proceed as a Revenue Court under the provisions of the Punjab Tenancy Act, 1887, and the provisions of the Act regarding appeals, revisions and reviews shall be applicable.(b)If the disputes relates to a water-course the Collector shall hear and determine the case as a revenue-officer and shall make such order thereon as to him seems fit, and such order shall, unless set aside on appeal to the Commissioner, be conclusive as to the use or distribution of water for any crop sown or growing at the date of such order. The order of the Commissioner on appeal shall in every such case be final.
