196 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [CH. 97

SEC 3. And fee it further enacted, That if the result of said
election shall be in favor of the Bond issue, that the Burgess
of Smithsburg, as soon after this Act becomes effective, as it
is possible so to do, by and with the advice and consent of the
Commissioners of said town, shall (immediately) appoint from
the taxpayers of said town, four persons of proper personal
qualification, who, together with the Burgess, shall constitute
and be a Water Board, and shall have charge of the construc-
tion and management and maintenance of said Water Works
and Water Distribution System. They shall appoint from their
own number a treasurer, who shall give bond to be approved
both as to amount and sureties by said Water Board for the
faithful performance of his duties as such Treasurer. The
said Treasurer shall receive the proceeds of sale of said bonds
or any other money which may be received on account of Water
Works and Water Distribution System, shall deposit the same
in a bank to be designated by said Water Board, and shall dis-
burse the same on orders of said Water Board by check to be
signed by himself and by the Burgess of said town. The said
Water Board is authorized and empowered to contract for, pur-
chase in fee simple or lease for a term of years, renewable at
their pleasure, any land, real estate, spring, brook or water
course, which they may deem necessary for the purpose of
supplying the said town and citizens thereof with water, and
they are hereby vested with all the rights and powers necessary
for the introduction of water in said town, including the au-
thority to contract with any water company, persons or corpo-
ration, to furnish water sufficient to supply the needs of said
town. If from any cause said Water Board shall be unable to
agree with any owner of real or leasehold estate, spring, brook,
water or water course or any other material which partakes of
or is a part of real estate, or for any right of way which they
may find necessary for conduits for said water to enter in and
distribute through said town, or if such owner is under any
disability or incapacity to contract, or absent or unknown, the
said Water Board is hereby clothed with power of condemna-
tion under the right of eminent domain, as now provided by
the Code of Public General Laws of Maryland as fully as if
said provisions had been herein incorporated. The said Water
Board shall make rules and regulations for the construction,
erection, management and maintenance of said Water Works
and Water Distribution System and shall establish rates for
water service, and shall make a semi-annual report of their
proceedings and of the condition of said Water Works and