Page 90 - Records of Bahrain (3) (ii)_Neat

506
Records of Bahrain

224,3

enforcing' its provisions—the British Political Itesidcut in tho Persian
Gulf Las been the final arbiter in .all disputes, including pearl fishinrr
disputes, between tho Shaildidoms of Trucial 'Oman; °and marilimo
security,, to the great benefit of the pearl fisheries, has been fully main­
tained. In earlier days, when feuds were carried on without restriction
of time or place, tho pearl banks were naturally the scene of frequent,
combats ; and weak fleets of which tho owners wero uuablo to come to
an understanding with their eucmies were often, to the financial injury
or ruin of the ports to which they belonged, practically excluded, during
a season or more, from taking a share in the pearling operations. Under
.British protection tho rights and safety of all arc now jicrfectly secured,
and breach of tho peace at sea, on the pearl banks as elsewhere, is
promptly and adequately punished : tho latest instance occurred in 1000,
when a fine of Rs. 1,500 was inflicted on the Al Bu 'Ali fleet for having
dared to. attack tho boats of 'Amamarah pearl fishers while both were
prosecuting their operations off the coast of Qatar.
In 1807 an important agreement, having special reference to tho Agreoment
circumstances of the pearl industry, was concluded by all the Shaikhs of to surrendtr
Trucial 'Oman at the instance of the British authorities ; it provided for Jogl013*
the mutual surrender by the Shaikhs of fraudulent absconders, especially 7#
pearl divers and sailors, from one jurisdiction to another. Each Shaikh
became responsible under this agreement for the debts of runaways whom
lie might fail to hand over to their lawful rulers, as well as to a fine of
550 in the case of each fugitive; and he was made liable, in tho event
of his allowing an absconder to proceed to the pearl banks in pursuance
of his vocation, to a fine of § 100. If the facts wero disputed the case
was to be tried by a council or Majlis, whoso decision, subject to confirma­
tion by the British Political Resident, should be final. Tho results of
this agreement in practice have been beneficial; and it is obvious, in
view of tho peculiar financial conditions governing the fishery, that tho
existence of some such understanding is essential to tho continuance of
tho industry on its present basis, which is largely one of credit.
A case important to Arab rulers was one which arose in 1899 Kurazttr pen1,
through tho finding by a native of ICumzar, a subject of the Sultan of caso, 1899-
3Oman, of an extremely valuable pearl, estimated, it is said, at about
8,500 Bombay Chaus ; the question was of the share, if any, in tho
proceeds of the sale to which the Sultan, as sovereign of the finder, was
entitled. The pearl was originally sold by tho finders for §2,000 to
subjects of the Shaikh of Sharjah ; and, after comiug into the posses­
sion of the latter, it was sent to Bombay, where it was valued at
Rs. 4,00,000, and subsequently to London. The finders then claimed that
the sale by them should be invalidated under a principle of Shara1 law ;
but, in the end, they were apparently prevailed on to accept a sum
of about §8,000, less commission. Meanwhile the Sultan of 'Oman,
having heard of the case, had also demanded cancellation of the sale;
this he did partly to assist the finders, his subjects, but partly also with
a view to claiming a share in the proceeds. The matter was eventually
settled in 1901 by a Majlis held in Trucial 'Oman, whose decision, given
in writing and approved by the Sheikh of Sharjah, awarded the Sultan
of the net price that might be obtained by the owners. The pearl
after remaining unsold for some time in London, was brought back cO
Bombay and disposed of there for Rs. 1,00,000, and tho share of the
151a