portions of valuable agricultural lands unsurveyed, which are being gradually settled. Especially is this the case on the line and in the vicinity of the Utah Northern Railroad, which is expected to be completed to Snake River, in the vicinity of Old Fort Hall, some time this fall. The surveys contracted for by my predecessor during the last fiscal year have been all completed and notes returned, with the exception of Mr. Allen M. Thompson's, whose work lay in close proximity to the hostile Indians; and on account of their hostility I have granted an extension of time to complete the surveys named in his contract, No. 74, dated February 20, 1878. OFFICE WORK. Some of the field notes of the survey of townships contracted for during the last fiscal year have been carefully examined, approved and protracted. Triplicate plats of each one constructed and transmitted as required by law and regulations. Transcripts of the field notes have been prepared and transmitted to the General Land Office, all of which have been carefully compared with the originals. The field notes of contract No. 73, dated November 27, 1877, have just been received and will soon be examined and protracted. In connection with office work, I respectfully but earnestly call your attention to the small amount appropriated to this office for clerk hire. It is impossible to keep a competent chief clerk and draughtsman the entire year on so small an appropriation. The chief clerk receives $1,500 per annum, which leaves only $1,000 for the salary of draughtsman; and in a country where board and lodging alone costs from $12 to $15 per week no person can afford to work for so small a sum; consequently the draughtsman has to be hired temporarily, which, to say the least, is very detrimental and sometimes a serious impediment to office work, for a competent draughtsman cannot always be obtained. It may be said we have a relief in the special deposit fund. True, it will make up a part of the deficiency, but it comes at such uncertain times and irregular amounts as to make it impossible for me to engage a competent draughtsman for the entire Men who are employed this month and discharged next are not always the most desirable class to have in the responsible position of draughtsman, and do not stay long enough to become proficient and expert in their duties. I hope Congress will give us an appropriation large enough to keep a chief clerk and draughtsman the entire year. year. In compliance with your letter of May 1, 1878, my predecessor forwarded you an estimate for the surveys in this surveying district for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1880. The estimates are as low as the best interest of the surveying service requires. The first standard parallel north ought to be extended the distance given, for many valuable mines and rich agricultural valleys lie contiguous to it. The third standard parallel ought to be run to the east boundary of the Territory. It will run (it is believed) through one of the largest and finest valleys in the Territory, situated on the Upper Payette River, and will run in close proximity to the famous Yankee Fork mines, which, if reports are true, are second to none in the richness of its ores. The timber lands also ought to be surveyed, for, judging by the present despoliation of valuable timber, the day is not far distant when our heavily timbered mountains will be stripped of timber and thus become worthless to the government, yet at the present rates allowed by law it is almost impossible to get competent surveyors to take a contract in a timbered and mountainous country. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Hon. J. A. WILLIAMSON, Commissioner General Land Office. WM. P. CHANDLER, Surveyor General of Idaho. A.-Estimate of expenses incidental to the survey of the public lands in Idaho for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1880. For salary of surveyor general OFFICE EXPENSES. For salary of clerks $3,000 00 For rent of office, messenger, fuel, books, and other expenses... SURVEYING SERVICE. For surveying first standard parallel north 96 miles, at $15 per mile For surveying third standard parallel north 180 miles, at $15 per mile 1,440 00 2,700 00 For surveying 120 miles exterior lines timber land in mountains, at $15 per mile. $1,800 00 For surveying 600 miles subdivision lines timber land in mountains, at $12 per mile. For surveying 1,200 miles subdivision lines, 20 townships, at $10 per mile For surveying 360 miles exterior lines, 30 townships, at $12 per mile.. B.-Statement of expenditure of appropriation for compensation of surveyor general and clerks in his office for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1878. DR. CR. C.-Statement of incidental and office expenses for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1878. D.-Statement of the expenditure of the appropriation for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1878. E.-Statement of original maps and copies transmitted to the General Land Office and to the district office since my last report. Guide meridian between ranges 29 and 30 east, and base line through ranges 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, and 42 east Exterior lines of townships 2 and 3 south, range 34 east ; Township 2 south, range 35 east.. Township 2 south, range 36 east. Township 2 south, range 37 east.. Exterior lines of townships 13, 14, 15, and 16 south, ranges 30, 31, and 32 east, and townships 13 and 14 south, range 33 east Township 15 south, range 30 east. 1 1 Township 16 south, range 30 east.. Township 15 south, range 32 east. Township 16 south, range 32 east 1 Exterior lines of townships 3, 4, 5, and 6 south of ranges 14, 15, and 16 east Township 6 south, range 13 east. 1 Township 4 south, range 14 east. Township 5 south, range 14 east. Township 6 south, range 14 east. Township 5 south, range 15 east. Township 6 south, range 15 east. Exterior lines of township 2 north, ranges 36, 37, and 38 east; township 3 north, range 38 east; and townships 1, 2, and 3 north, ranges 39, 40, and 41 east Township 2 north, range 37 east. Township 3 north, range 38 east. Township 3 north, range 40 east.. Township 2 north, range 41 east. Township 3 north, range 41 east. Exterior lines of townships 1, 2, 3, and 4 north, ranges 5 and 6 west, and townships 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 south, ranges 5 and 6 west. Township 2 north, range 5 west Township 3 north, range 5 west Township 4 north, range 5 west Township 3 north, range 4 west 3 Feb. 18, 1878 Feb. 18, 1878 Township 4 north, range 6 west Number of contract. F.-Statement showing the condition of contracts entered into since June 30, 1877. Name of deputy. Date of con- Character, amount, and lo- Remarks. 71 John B. David Aug. 1, 1877 Exterior lines of township 2 72 Allen M. Thompson... Sept. 1, 1877 73 John B. David...... Nov. 27, 1877 Exterior lines of townships Surveys completed and notes returned and approved, and plats and transcripts transmitted. Surveys completed and notes returned and approved, and plats and transcripts transmitted. NOTE.-Township 3 south, range 6 west, included. Exterior lines of townships Deputy in the field. 74 Allen M. Thompson... Feb. 20, 1878 Exterior lines of townships Deputy in the field. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 south, G.-Statement of descriptive list sent to the local land office since my last report. H.-Tabular list of townships surveyed since the date of my last report, showing the areas of the public lands. I.-Statement of applications for the survey of mineral lands and mill sites for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1878. FORT HALL INDIAN RESERVATION. 39 ... 2 south..... 36 east.. Total area J.-Statement of amount deposited with the United States assistant treasurer for office work for mineral claims in Idaho for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1878. |