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Show OPENING OF CEDED LANDS. May 16, 1895, the Pre~idenits sued proclamations opening to settle-ment the surplus lands in the following' reservations: Kickapoo, Okla., Siletz, Oreg., and Yankton, S. D'k. This was in accordance with the agreements with the respective Indians,ratified, the first by the act of Congress approved March 3,1893 (27 Stats., 557), and the last two by the act approved Angllst 15, 1804 (28 Stats., 286). The Eickapoo Reservation was opened May 23,1895, the Yankton May 21,1895, and the Siletz July 25, 1895. The checks for the first payment to the Nez Perchs (except in cases where payment is suspended for letters of guardianship, etc.) have been transmitted to the agency for delivery to the Indians entitled thereto; also 1,576 patents to be delivered to allottees: This is in accordance with the agreement ratified by the act of August 15,1894 (28 Stats., 286). It is expected that all preliminarg- requirements of the agreement will be complied with so as to permit the opening of the ceded lands by October 1, if the Department so desires. IRRIGATION. Navajo Reservation, Arizona and New Mexico.-The work of irrigation and the development of a water supply on theNavajo Reservation was beawnlast year according to the plans outlined in my last annual report.. June 22,1895, I received a report from Mr. E. C. Vincent, superin. tendent of irrigation on that reservation, giving a summary of his work in the construction of irrigation ditches, dams, flumes, eta., and making statenlents as to their utility and value to theIndiaus, with remarks as to the character and habits of the Indians, etc. I quote from it as follows: BRIEF SUMMARY OF WORK. Blsek Creek-Bleok Creek dam, 160 feet long, 10 feet high, 30 feet wide. B b k Creek ditch running from Blaok Creek into Red Lake, one-half mile long, 6 feet wide, snJ 3 deep. Bed Lske.-Red Lake dam, 1,050 feet long, 10 feet high, 60 feet wide. Red Lake is 2 miles long, 1 mile wide, and is fast filliug with water the ditch leading from Rerl Lake to Black Creek. This ditch ia three-fourth8 of a mile long to bank of Blaok Creek. 6 feet wide, 2 feet deop. This ia st the head of o, valley 2 miles wide by 15 miles long, giving an area of 30 sqoaro miles of fine sagebrush l%nd. Tho agency ditch is 2 miles long; flume 2 feet wide, 1 foot deep, 400 feet long, hung to deft with iron rods. Dam100 feet long, 40feet wide, 6 feet high; weter rnnning over30feet of spillway. Head gate and ever~thing in order, hut ditoh not entirely completed. * * This ditoh vill empty into n long basin when oompleted. The dam will make a reservoir oontaining a goad supply of water, vhere the stream will be eontinnons tho year round, and the water flow will be large. The storage will give ample amp-ply of weter for irrigating 2,000 acres of fine segebrnsh lmd. I hope to complete this work at sn early date. |