Page 181 - Records of Bahrain (3) (i)_Neat

British interests and influence, 1898-1904 171

No. 38, dated liusbiro, tbc 18th February 1904 (Coufidontial).
From—LiEUTBNAWT-Cor.oNRL C. A. Kbmdall, C.I.B., Officiating Political Heai-
dent in tbo Porainn Gulf,
To—Tho Soorotary to tbo Govornmont of India in tbo Foreign Department.
I lmvo tho honour to submit, for tho information and orders of tho Gov­
ernment of India, tho following report regarding tho administration of the
Customs at Bahroin.
2. As the Govornmont of India is aware, tho Customs of Bahrein have
boon given out on lonso by tho Chief of Bahrein to certain firms of Hindu
Bauias^ residing at that plaoc. Customs duos wore, it is understood, first
levied at Bahrein by Sheikh Ali bin Khalifa in tho year i860. Tho rate
varied, but did not oxcood 4 por cent, ad valorem up to 1808, since which
date tho rato of 5 por cent, has boon lovied. Tho Customs administration
was in tho hands of the Chief until 1888 when ho leased it out to a Syndicate
of Banias. On tho imposition, in 1898, of tho full rato of 6 por cout., tho extra
rato of 1 por cent, was farmed out to a second Syndioato of Banias.
3. Tho Assistant Political Agent reports that for tho year 1903 tho Chief
received from tho farmors Bs. 88,200 on account of tho 4 por cent, share and
Its. 28,000 for tho 1 per cent, share, that is to say, a total sum of Its. 1,16,200..
In 1904 the Ohiof will receive an aggregate amount of Its. 1,17,600 for tho
4 per coilt. and 1 por cont. shares, and iu 1905 ho will get Us. 1,23,200 for tho
two shares. The 4 per cont. share has boon leased to the original Syudicato for
tho annual sum of Its. 96,200 for the years 1906 and 1907. Tho contract for
tho 1 per cent, sliaro expires in April 1906.
4. Tho Assistant Political Agent further roports that in consideration of
nbovo leases, tho Chief has drawn advauccs : from the first Syndioato, which is
reprosonted by Messrs. Guugaram Tikamdass and whiclLholds the lease of four*
fiftbajal tho Customs up to 7th JannarvJBQSy helms received" in advance
BiTl.lO.OOO olTaccount of the four lunaryonrs from 1st Zil [Elijah 1321 to 30th
Zil Kaada 1325, corresponding to tho 18th February 1904 to tho 7th January
1908. Tho second Syndicate, which holds tho lease of tho remaining ono-jifth
of the Customs up to> 26th April 1906, Jins paidau advanco oFTfs. 60,000 to
tho“OInef on account oniioi-w'ollihar years from 1st Rabi-ul-Awal 1322 to the
30th Safar 1324, corresponding to the 17th May 1904 to tho 2Gtk April 1906.
Tho Chief has also takon a loan of Bs. 22,000 from tho two Syndicates pro­
portionately payable noxt autumn wkou he proposes, so tho Assistant Politi­
cal Agent roports, to extond the loasos, Tho total amount in which tho Chief
is indebted to tho two Syndicatos is, so far as is known, Bs. 2,12,000. Tho two
advancos montioned diminish by Bs. 2,916-10-8 and Bs. 2,083-5-4 rospoctively
caoh mouth commencing from the dato against which thoy were paid,
6. Now with regard to tho amount which tho Chiof ought to recoive
from his Customs, if tho farming system wore abolished aud a competent
service established. The Assistant Political Agent reports that for tho year
1902 the volume of trade, excluding non-dutiablo articles, such as pearls
and Bnfisiflj amountod to over 80 lakhs of rupees. Of this it is estimated
that 25 por cent, represents tho value of goods transhipped on which a duty of
2J per cent, is charged. ■ It will thus bo scon that tho income of tho.Customs,
estimated on tho basis of 2$ por.cont. on 20 lakhs and of 5 por cout. on 60
lakhs, would bo 3£ lakhs.
^V0 y°ara precoding 1902, tho anuual avorago of tho trade was over
70 lakbs.of rupcos excluding non-dutiablo articles, aud tbo annual Customs
4092 P. D.