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Show REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONER OF INDIAN AB'FAIRS. 47 Superintendent Butler also recommended that, after completing this system, the remainder of the year and of the money be devoted to the 1 numerous Indiaus who come to him from all parts of the reservation to ask aid in their small projects for the construction of small storage ponds and ditches to water from 10 to 15 acres. July 28 the Depart-ment was asked to authorize the expenditure of $3,500 for the Red Lake system, but it decided to authorize the expenditure of the $1,500 on small ponds and dikhes and to delay action in regard to the Red Lake system until after it should have been examined by Inspector Graves, who has general supervision of Indian irrigation. Southern Ute Reservation, Co1.-The subject of irrigation for the Southern Utes is taken up under the head of Southern Utes on page 73. Fort Hall Reservation, Idaho.-November 6,1897, Lieutenant Irwin, in charge of the Fort Hall Agency, reported that the Idaho Canal Com-pany, in compliance with the terms of its supplemental contract of October 2, 1896, had completed the two diverting dams across the Blackfoot River, and had delivered the second 100 cubic feet of water per second at the point designated in said contract. December 18,1897, he reported that liens had been filed against the company, amounting in the aggregate to some $13,944. December 28,1897, the Departmeut authorized the payment to the company of the second installment due under the terms of its contract being $37,500, less $15,000 to be retained until the compauy should file satisfactory evidence that the liens and indebtedness had been discharged. January 18,1898, the Department authorized this office to cause an account to be stated in favor of the company for the aforesaid sum of $15,000, Lieutenant Irwin having informed the Department that the claims against the company had been settled, excepting for small amounts which could be settled at any time. Previous to this, a change having been made in the officers of the compauy, and one of the sureties on its bond having become bankrupt, the company gave a uew bond, which was approved by the Department December 13,1897. April 12,1898, the office made a report on a communication from J. H. Brady, of St. Louis, Mo., dated March 18,1898, in which he stated that' he had entered into a contract with the Idaho Canal Company to com-plete its canal to Ross Fork Creek, according to the terms of its con-tract with the Government, and that he expected to do so, bnt that the financial condition of the company led him to believe that. it would be unable to pay him for this ~onstruct~iounn til such time as i t should receive the third and final payment of $22,500 from the Government. He therefore suggested that if it was the desire of the Department to have the contact completed at once or as soon as practicable he was ready and willing to do the work if the Government would so change the contract with the company as to enable it to be paid the $22,500 as soon as the work should be completed and approved by the Departmeut, instead of waiting for the expiration of a year from the date of the 1 |