Page 41 - Historical Summaries (Persian Gulf) 1907-1953

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reform of tlio Customs Administration of Buhrein has
bocomo a test cn«o of the nature and degree of the
influence which the British Government nmy reasonably
oluim to exorui8u over tho Ituler of thueo islands."

100(1. In August 100G a further attempt was mode
hy the Resident to induce tl*c Sheikh to intrust
the collection of tho customs to tho Government
of India for a specific sum, in place of farming
them out to the Bania-British Indian contractors.
He declined to adopt this course, aud the matter
was temporarily allowed to drop. It is suggested
that the real ground of tho refusal is to be found
in the fact that Bahrein is the centre of a large
smuggling trade.

Judicial Powers exercised by the Political Agent
at Bahrein.
The Government of India raised this subject
1007.
in their despatch of the 14th November, 1907,
which is now under consideration, aud of which
the following is an extract:—
“ The Agent has at present the powers of a
Magistrate of the 1st class, as described in ‘The
Code of Criminal Proecduro, 160S,’ in respect of
offences committed by native Indian subjects of
TIis Majesty in the Island of Bahrein and on the
southern shores of tho Persian Gulf. He also
extends his good offices0 to European foreigners
in any disputes between them and the Chief of
Bahrein or his subjects.
“ Next, he holds a Court, composed of himself
and a representative of tho Chief, for the trial of
eases in which tho accused is a Bahrein subject
or a foreigner who prefers not to invoke British
good offices, and tho other party is a British or
foreign subject who does so.
“ Finally, he controls a local Court of Arbitra­
tion for tho adjustment of civil disputes between
British subjects and protdgds on tho one hand,
and Bahrein subjects or persons of any other
nationality, on tho other hand. This Court has
been in existence for over fifty years.
“ He also, on occasions, issues bills of health,
signs marine protests, and legalizes signatures on
behalf of British Indian subjects. Strictly
• Vide Secret desjatch from Secretary of State, dated
June 21, H<01.