Page 285 - Records of Bahrain (3) (i)_Neat

British influence and foreign interests, 1904-1906 275

would even recommend that we should exhibit no signs of eagerness to fall in
with the Chief's wishes, and if we could then contrive to get the Land Revenue
Administration reformed and a proper Record of Rights made up at the same
time as we revise tho Customs Administration, wo should be conferring an in­
estimable boon upon the whole rural population and would be paving the way for
an enormous immigration of the cultivating class from all parts of the Gulf. It
is well known that in ancient times a very much larger portion of the main island
was cultivated than at the present day, and I believe that b/ means of artesian
wells, the sub-tcrrancan river which is said to coino to tho surface at tho northern
end of Bahrein in tho shape of innumerable springs, could probably bo tapped
almost all over the island.
29. It is inevitable, I suppose, if the contract system of the Customs Ad- \
ministration is to be abolished, that the Chief should be allowed, if he still \
insists on it, to attempt the administration himself, but it is certain that when ;
such a time comes not only will the revenue from this sourco diminish, but the ;
unfortunate merchants of Bahrein will continually be harassed with all manner !
of troubles. The diminution of the Customs revenue of courso will expedite j
the course of the Chief towards bankruptcy, but if he insists upon his right to \
renew the contract with the Hindus can we legitimately object, if the claim to
independence in internal affairs is conceded? Under the present system we
cannot urge that injustice is done to any individuals, for the only real sufferer
is the Chief himself, and a large number of other influential persons undoubtedly
profit as they arc able to extort special concessions from tho farmers whicn
they would not receive from a State-managed Department. Even, however, if
we allow such a contention of the Chief's, I am hopeful that when tho relations
between himself and the Political Agent have become established on a more /
confidential footing, he will ovcntually allow himself to be persuaded to submit
the desired application to Government.

No. 205, dated Bahrein, the 24th June 1905.
prom-r-CAPTAlN F. p. PRIDEAUX, Political Agent, Bahrein,
To-r-The Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, Bushire.
In my letter No. 133, dated the 22nd April 1905 I described the system under
which mercantile disputes between parlies of different nationalities arc settled in
Bahrein. I now have the honour to inform you that when the occasion arose a
few weeks ago for the assembly of a
•Muqbil al Duk«r and Abdul Rahmao bin Idan.
Mcjlis to hear a ease, to which a Hindu
and a Baharani woro parties, the two most influential Arab Merchants* of Manama
whom I first summoned to the Court, excused themselves from sitting on the plea,
that the decision of a Mcjlis on which they had previously sat a few months
ago had been over-ridden by the Chief of Bahrein qnd gross injustice had been
perpetrated in consequence. *
2. The ease to which the merchants referred was convened by the Chief
and assembled at the agency for the purpose of winding up the affairs of a lead­
ing Baharani Pearl-merchant, Syed Ivhalaf whose monetary difficulties and In­
debtedness to certain Persian Merchants had formed the subject qf correspond­
ence between your office and that of the Bushire Karguzar for many years past,
and who after getting his debts compounded and liabilities roduced on more than
one occasion had at last died, leaving as has since been ascertained 4 considerable
fortune for the benefit qf fii$ heirs.
3. The particulars of the case arc given in the potition l have received from
the widow of Syed Khalaf, and a translation of her statement is appended. It is
only necessary to explain that no exception is taken to any of the proceedings of
the Chief until after the time when the Mcjlis had cqmpletpd its work’, the Per­
sian, Hindu and Baharani creditors had bccq paid and the two packages of pearls
and ornaments valued at Rs. 57,000 and Rs. 3,900 had been respectively lodged
with Ramqh (PitamberdasJ and Muqbil al Quker. for temporary safe-custody. Tho
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