Page 580 - PERSIAN 5 1905_1911

84 ADMINISTRATION REPORT OF THE PERSIAN OULF
or to put it in another way, the profits of his master during the
slave’s slaver)'. The non-examination of past years’ accounts
prevents an equitable settlement of this kind.
(2) that the system of the “ Urf ” reduces free men to a condition of
slavery.
The question will require patient and delicate handling. The only
method that promises success would be to induce the Nakhudas themselves to
lay down, in council, the rules governing the “ Urf,” and gradually to relax
60*me of the severer regulations which press so hardly in particular cases.
In spite of all that is said against the Nakhudas, there is one great fact
which stands but in their defence. This is that there is never any lack of
applicants for service in the pearling boats. It is hard to explain why they
flock to the pearls in this way in spite of the well-known hardships of this
service, but it would seem to be on the same principle that people in more
civilised countries put money into lotteries. One man in 10,000 draws a prize,
and so docs one diver among many.
The general health of the public was very good, and there was no out­
break of any infectious disease in an
Public health.
epidemic form.
The Victoria Memorial Hospital continues to be popular with all castes
and communities.
The buildings were ready about the end of April. The Quarantine camp
began to be used from about the 15th
Quarantine. April. Regulations are observed and
appear to excite no hostility.
The year under report has been a prosperous one for the people of Bah­
rain. The price of pearls has risen dur­
General. ing the year 30 to 50 per cent, over the
already good prices of last year.
The date crop also was better than last year, which was a boon especially
to the poorer classes.
About Rs.12,000 was subscribed by the Arabs of Bahrain towards the im­
provement of the Ottoman navy. Shaikh Qasim-bin-Muh&mmad A1 Tbani of
Qatar subscribed Rs. 2,000.
In June, Shaikh Isa transferred the collection of export duty on shells,
hides and shark fins to his Customs o&-
Customs.
cials Messrs. Gangaram Tikamdas & Co.
Shaikh Isa-bin-Aii-Al-Kbalifa appointed Mr. Wills of Messrs. Gray,
Paul & Co. as his cargo lauding Agent from 5th October, subject to three
months’ trial.
This honest attempt to remedy a grave defect in the Customs’ administra­
tion has met with little success and is now threatened with failure. It was
unfortunately a foregone conclusion that the ruler of Bahrain would do his
best to upset the scheme, but it is still more disappointing to have to record
that it has been attacked by British subjects and foreign merchants under
British protection. No complaints reached the Agency, nor so far as can be
ascertained, did any complaints worthy of serious consideration reach the
Agent, Mr. Wills, until two and a half months had elapsed when throe peti­
tions, signed by the representatives of the various commercial communities,
reached the Political Agent and the Shaikh of Bahrain.
The Political Agent understands from the head of the Bunniahs com­
munity that they got their petition ready at the start of affairs and withheld
it until the close of the appointed period. Their attitude is typical of the
other communities. They were determined to give the Agent no chance of
remedying any unpopular features of the new scheme.
The serious illness of Mr.'Wills may have had much to do with this
tility, but the petitions, though probably unconsciously, are directed against
Shaikh Isa’s past and present neglect of his obligations and not against any