Page 398 - PERSIAN GULF ADMINISTRATION REPORTS V1

30 ADMINISTRATION REPORT OK TUB PERSIAN GULP POLITICAL RESIDENCY
Hero* truly be is in good circumstances, regaled on tho famed
Arab sweetmeats of Muscat, be makes hay "whilst tho sun shines1'
and^robs his dependents most amicably. '
TlnVhc’docs, firstly, in the matter of the advances, and afterwards
in the manner of valuing and paying for the outcome of the labour
of the crews, and if he does indeed sometimes fall upon an evil dry,
when the village he may chance to inhabit is sacked by the Bedouin*
he claims damages and invariably, ultimately, receives them though
his soul may be harrowed by the dilatory action of the Arab whose
objections to disgorge his prey arc strongly rooted. The “ Musaygum"
is however nevertheless a necessity at present, for the reckless Arabs
S]>cnd what they can get, and theu look to him to keep them supplied
with food and raiment for the rest of the year. They keep no accounts,
neither give nor take bonds o»* agreements; and the entries in the
Bunncahs' books (if any dispute arises) arc taken as evidence of the
correctness of each item of supply, or other transaction. When I
say "taken as evidence, I mean it to the fullest extent; as in disputed
cases the Chief orders a Marine Court to assemble to try the case.
This Court may consist of one or more old men, well versed iu the
trade, who go l>y the name of “ Salifeb-ul-gbous". This is not a
permanent appointment, the Court being convened when required and
the Salifoh nominated by the Chief. To resume—the Bunueah supplies
the Nakhoda or headmen of the boat with every necessary of clothes,
food, tobacco, &c., required for his trip, a list of which of course goes
down iu his ledger at his own valuation.
On return from the fisheries the Nakhoda makes over his whole
packet of pearls to he valued in the gross, and on this being completed,
the Bunneah takes over the lot at 20 per cent, below the appraisement.
Every merchant knows the market value of pearls for the year,
so that this transaction is easily effected.
Now however the " Musaygura" has to pay the 80 per cent, of
the value of the pearls, but he is constitutionally averse to parting with
more cash than cau be decently avoided. He therefore totals up the
account of the advances aud deducts this amount; further ho supplies
as much of the balance as he can, in goods and stores, which the
Nakhoda has to take. On this the computed gain is from 20 to 35
per cent.
What the crew will not take off his hands, is sold by the Nakhoda
for what it will fetch in the bazaar; and this is added to the small
6um of ready money which has been paid by the Musaygum. The
whole is then divided according to the recognized share of each member
of the crew.
A further protection enjoyed by the Mnsaygum against the chance
of losing by a run of bad luck in the fishery should be noticed.
He is free to dissolve his connection with the Nakhoda he
employs,and supplies, whenever be finds it convenient. By this system,
if the Nukhoda is unable to settle his account, th<y go before tus
u bulifeh-ul-ghoiu," and a decree is given by which the Nakhoda has