Daily Kennebec journal., 1910-12-19
CHINA LAKE ASSN.
Will Endeavor to Defeat Legislation
Derriv;no Them Of RIGHTS.

A special meeting Of the China Lake
Improvement Association was called
for Saturday afternoon, but on account
Of the lack of a few to make the
quorum of %, no business was tram
sacted. However. many important
matters We're discussed among the
members present and the meeting was
adjourned subject to the call of the
president. ,u.t..:.
The chief matter OF interest was the
discussion of the bill that is, to be pre-
sented at the coming session of the
Legislature by the kcnnebec Water
District relative to the giving to the
State Board of Health. q general over
sight OF all lakes and ponds used as
water supplies. This bill was present
ed at the last Legislature and was held
up in the committee hearing and re-
fcrred t. the coming session: 1t was
also the desire Of the kcnnebec Water
District to gain control of the water
shed of the lake in order that the wa
! ters Of the same might not be polluted
as they claimed.
Prior to this legislation the so-called
China Lake Improvement Association
was organized with a membership Of
about $50 members. The purposes Of
said organization was to safeguard the
purity Of the waters and protect and
| improve the fisheries and navigation
| on China lake III the towns of China
aud NaSSalboro and to promote the
inte. astS of residents. cottage holders
and others in the enjoyment of the
waters and shores of the lake. When
the, association learned OF the intention
Of the Water District they resented
their action. as none OF the cottage
holders or shore residents OF the lake
had any. desire or intention to pqllutc
or otherwise inlest the waters which
they themselves made Use ot.
When the Legislature convened two
years. ago they fought the passage Of
the bill as presented by the Kennebec
Water District. Since that time the
water district has bought up several
parcels Of Hand and cottages on the
shore Of the lake and paid large sums
of money for the same. This winter
they are to again present probably the
Identical dill that was referred from
the last session.
From the sense OF the meeting it
was not the intention of the members
TO harass the kcnnebec Water District,
but would gladly cooperate in any
measure with them to protect the users
Of the water. The members them
selves through the ASSOCIATION have
taken the responsibility to look after
tifeir own shores and to police the
same. Swimming in the lake has been
prohibited and in several instances no.
| tees have been served upon several
offenders. The China Lake Associs-
| tion will endeavor to defeat the pas
sage of any bill that will deprive them
| of the rights which they feel are ma
| turally theirs. but as yet they have
taken no action as to the course that
will be pursued
1t is understood that the kennebec
Water District at the coming session
viii also ask for change in their
charter that will give them more juris-
diction over parts of the lake, which
| they at present do not control.
The matter of ice fishing at China
| lake was discussed and the members
present at the meeting were opposed
to any such legislation. 1t is also un-
| derstool that an attempt will be made
to have the lake opened two days each
week. The members of tlR association
| feel THAI more harm can come from ice
| fishing in the way of pollution, than
| from any other form.
| The association during tie past sum-
| mer has constructed a wharf at East
| Vassalboro, making it better for boat
owners especially during the low water
season. The outlet of the stream at
| East Nassalboro has been screened to
keep the larger fish from leaving the
lake during the season.