Holve

This is a proceeding in mandamus to compel the respondent, as Controller of the City of Los Angeles, to approve a demand, duly assigned to petitioner, drawn on the water revenue fund of said city in the sum of $1,092.70. •The demand represents the purchase price of certain water-;meters furnished by petitioner’s assignor to the bureau of 'water works and supply. Respondent has demurred generally to the petition, urging that under the provisions of the charter of the city of Los Angeles it is essential, where purchases of materials and supplies in excess of $1,000 are involved, that requisitions, specifications and authorizations for such purchases be first submitted to and approved by the city purchasing agent. Petitioner contends that purchases made by the bureau of water works and supply or by the bureau of power and light, constituting, together, the department of water and power, are exempt from the charter provisions requiring the approval of the city purchasing agent. In support thereof petitioner urges that the department of water and power has been given authority to control expenditures from the water revenue fund and the power revenue fund, the funds from the former fund…