Before proceeding to make such survey, at least ten days' notice thereof must be given, by posting within the limits of such townsite, not less than five written or printed notices of the time when such survey shall commence, or by publication thereof in a newspaper published in said town, if one there be. The survey of said townsite must be made to the best advantage and at the least expense to the holders, claimants, possessors and occupants thereof. The said judge is hereby authorized and directed to receive bids for such surveying, platting and furnishing copies of the field notes, and to let the same by contract to the lowest competent bidder: PROVIDED, That the possessors, owners, or claimants of waterworks, electric light, telegraph, telephone, pipe or power lines, sewers, irrigating ditches, drainage ditches, and like or similar property located in such townsites or in the roads, streets, alleys or highways therein or in other public places in such townsite, shall be maintained and protected in the same as the same shall exist at the time of the entry in the United States land office of the land embraced in such government townsite, and the right to continue to use such property, for the purposes for which said property was intended, is hereby acknowledged and confirmed.