Page:U.S. Department of the Interior Annual Report 1878.djvu/39

Rh itself. It is earnestly urged that the act be renewed as soon as possible upon the reassembling of Congress, to the end that all pending claims may be adjudicated, and improvements completed, as contemplated by the act of March 3, 1877.

The commissioners report the following work remaining unfinished:

First. Straightening and widening old streets; laying out new streets, avenues, and alleys in the town of Hot Springs.

Second. Hearing of arguments in contested claims, and the final adjudication in 897 cases.

Third. The appraisal of each lot awarded.

Fourth. Resurvey of each lot after adjudication of the claims, in order to define the lines and ascertain the exact amount of ground to be certified to each claimant as required by the law.

Fifth. The appraisal of improvements upon each lot awarded.

Sixth. The division of the land not claimed or awarded into lots, squares, or blocks, and appraisal of the same.

Seventh. Preparing and issuing certificates to each claimant who is adjudged the right to purchase, being evidence of claimants on which to base patent.

Eighth. Condemnation and appraisal of all buildings on permanent reservation and issuing certificates therefor.

Ninth. Preparation of a map embodying the results of the whole work to be filed with the Secretary of the Interior, accompanied by the schedule provided for by law.

The superintendent of the Hot Springs Reservation reports that during the year he has had removed from the permanent reservation some three or four hundred people encamped thereon. The erection of comfortable barracks and suitable pools for their use, and the expenses of the removal, were provided for by private contributions. The reservation is now practically free from all nuisances. Reference is made in the report to the destructive fire which destroyed a large portion of the town of Hot Springs, and to the means employed to prevent the introduction of yellow fever. For the year ending June 30, 1878, the total amount collected for water-rent was $5,260.

Recommendation is made that the present rental of $5 a month for each tub in use be maintained in the future.

The superintendent of the Yellowstone Park reports the construction of about sixty miles of wagon-road within the park during the present season. Although the work was somewhat retarded by the presence of hostile Indians, it was accomplished without loss of life or property. He refers to complications likely to arise with parties who claim to have made improvements within the park, and suggests the early consideration of the questions involved.