Page 285 - Gulf Precis (VI)_Neat

Chapter XIV. 255
Nnkoila Allurnka of Pulley Salamnl of Cutch, 1G2-C., bound for Mohammcrali with cargo,
paid Its. 17 quarantine fee at Fao, and was charged Its. 4 at Fao aud Rs. 2 at Dowasir by
Customs official who gave no receipts.
Naked a Yusuf of Bond hi or Cutch, 4700-S., bound for Mnbammerah, paid Rs. 10 quaran­
tine fee at Fao, and was charged Rs. 3 and Re. 1 at Fao and Dowasir by Customs officials, for
which they gave no receipts.
393. It was reported that several vessels, which did not stop at Fao, were
on their way boarded by the quarantine officers, subjected to vexations detention
and exaction. The Resident enquired of Dr. Lubicz, Sanitary .Inspector of
Baghdad ; and was told there that in conscqucnco of the representations of the
British Embassy orders had been issued to the Quarantine officials at Fao not
to interfere with vcssols bound for Mobammorah.
396. Commenting on these faots Colonel Mocklcr in his letter No. 704*,
dated 6th December 1891, made the
Ibid No. 95.
following remarks and suggestions:—
u If it bo necessary from a Turkish point of view, in view of the possibility notwith­
standing all the Turkish river police at present available of native craft after having loaded
at one or other of the numerous date gardens on the Turkish side of the Shat-el-Arab,
hoisting sail and leaving the Shat-el-Arab without paying any export duty whatever, it. appears
to me that it is at the place of loading that security should bn taken not on entering the river
which belongs equally to Persia as to Turkey aud up to Basrah is open to all uations as the
sea is; and I would very respectfully suggest, for Your Excellency's consideration, that an
officer of the British Telegraph station at Fao might, perhaps, bo usefully appointed Consular
Agcnt'thcvc during the months of September, October and November (date season) to give
Nakodas of British craft passing Fao general-advice and assistance and to report at once any
at! empf to improperly control their movements or ‘ blackmail ’''thorn on any account what­
ever.
“ Pay of such officer (which for three monthsmnmed might I thiok.be £3 = about Rs. 90
per mensem) (in addition of course to his departmental salary) and two kavasses whose services
would bo, I think, necessary to him (at au aggregate sum of say £1J =about Rs. 27, viz.,
on6 at Rs. 15 and another Rs. 12. per-mensem) ..might, • perhaps, be allowed to bo debited
against the f**cs paid on deposit of ship’s papers into the Consulate at Basrah by craft visiting
the Shat-el-Arab. If Your Excellency approves of this idea, I will communicate on the subject
with the Director of Persian Gulf Telegraphs, under, whose jurisdiction, the .telegraph station
at Fao is.”
397. The Government of India approved of the proposed appointment.of a
Despatch No. 119, dated IStb June 1396, to tbo British Consular Agent at Fao during
Secretary of State. tho months of September, October and
Secret E., July 1S?6. Nos. G3-103.
November in each year, for the pur­
pose of protecting Indian subjects on the Shat-el-Arab from tho illegal exac­
tions levied on nativo craft by tho local Turkish officials.
39S. They wero of opinion that this appointment was worth trying as a
means of preventing the irregularities referred to, and they rocommendcd for the
favourable consideration of Her Majesty’s Government the proposals made by
the Political Rosident in Turkish Arabia.
399. All the expenditure incurred in connection with the appointment was
to be recouped, as suggested by Colonel Mockler, from the fees paid on deposit
of ship’s papers into the Consulate at Basrah by craft visiting the Shat-el-Arab
and no charge would fall upon Indian rovenues.
400. The Director-in-Chief of the Indo-European Telegraph • Department
had no objection to an officer of the British. Telegraph. Station at Fao being
appointed for this purpose. Her Majesty’s Consul-General at Baghdad was
.. accordingly,, authorised to communicate
Secret E., October 1695, Nos. 278.183.
with the Director?in-Chief with a view to
his nominating an officer for tho post from tho British Telegraph Station at
Fao.
401. In October 1S94 gun9 which had been brought for protoction on Shnt-
cl-Arab were seized on British Indian
Externol A., September 1895, Nos. 3-23.
vessels by the Turkish Police authorities
at Fao and Basrah. It was alleged that tho Police wero not awaro of tho
nationality of the vessels. In any ease tho arms were seized ou suspicion, and
tho Police ought to havo roferred tho matter to the Consulate where tho docu­
ments to prove their nationality provided by tho Indian Government aro
deposited.