Page 338 - PERSIAN 8 1912_1920_Neat

54 PERSIAN GULP ADMINISTRATION REPORT

Tho Customs’ arrangements have remained unchanged, and have worked
satisfactorily. An attempt to replace the
Cm tom*.
Hindu managers by a group of Arab
farmers fell through.
The Quarantine service has remained in charge of Dr. Boomla, and has
worked smoothly. Plague appoared in
Plagao and Quarantine.
Dalirain on December 22nd.
Regular landing .arrangements were introduced on April 1st, and have so
far worked very satisfactorily, thus relieving
Cargo landing arrangement*.
the Agency of a great deal of work and
friction. Messrs. Gray Paul & Co., the Arab Steamers, Ltd., and tho Persian
Steam Navigation Co. land their own cargo. Messrs. Gray Paul & Co. have
several large boats, and aro able to deal expeditiously with as much landing
work as is likely to come their way. Negotiations were in progress between
them and the Agents of the Hamburg-Amerika Line regarding the landing of
tbo cargo of the steameis of that Company, but were interrupted by tho out­
break of War.
Since the outbreak of War an irregular fortnightly service has been
maintained.
Postal Scivita.
No progress was made with this scheme. The absence of telegraphic com­
munication was a serious matter for trade
Wireless atation.
during the disturbances to the .market
before and after the commencement of War. As much as Rs. 100 has twice
been paid by the Agency for forwarding telegrams from Bushire.
Nazi Shaikh Jasim bin Mehza has been the chief Sunni Kazi throughout
the year. He has tried a large number
Loral official*.
of cases at the Political Agent’s request
with justice and despatch ; and the good order maintained in Manama is
largely due to his influence. His attitude during the War with Turkey is noted
below.
Nazi Shaikh Khalaf, the Shiah Kazi, is still venal and dilatory.
Muhammad bin Fadhal, Salifah Judge, has been prompt and just in his
decisions.
IChalifah bin Mubarak, Judge of the Marine Court, has given satisfaction
in the few cases sent to him.
Ali bin Husain, the Amir of Manama, though extremely corrupt, has
served the Agency much better than former Amirs and there have been no
complaints of his conduct in cases in which foreigners have been concerned. The
. Agency has much less to do with Fahadbin Abdur Rahman, Amir of Muharrak.
What work he has to do for us has been well done.
The Fadawis supplied by the Amirs for the Agency Court have worked
extremely well.
One hundred and eighty-eight cases were tried with the assistance of the
Majlis during the year. Most of these
Majlis.
were in connection with the estates of
deceased persons, absconders and bankrupts. This work is generally arduous
and complicated, but the results have been, as a rule, good though slow. The
Majlis has been relieved of a great deal of work by sending suits to arbitrators
not necessarily membei's of that body.
The judicial work in 1914 was very heavy, especially during the Summer
In August as Diany as 235 civil and 40
Judicial.
criminal cases were instituted.
Tho totals for the year were 1,484 and 382, respectively, as against 737 and
355 in 1913, 518 and 203 in 1912 and 803 and 211 in 191L
One thousand two hundred and fourteen civil suits were heard by the Political
A^ent without the assistance of the Majlis, Kazi, or Marino Courts. Forty-two
were pending at tho end of the year, of which 33 are before the Majlis. Six ^iun
dred and 60venty-nine suits wore settled by consent and 653 decrees wore given.