Page 286 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (I)_Neat

284 Land dept. -3- 34

The documents for fish traps usually mention boun­

daries which often include vast areas of sea and shore.
The Goverhment has decided to consider that these
boundaries are merely for the purpose of protecting

the traps from being harmed by other traps in the
neighbourhood, and the areas within the boundaries
are not the actual property of the owners of the

traps. There has been some opposition to this
interpretation of ownership, which is undoubtedly
the correct one, mainly by the Bin Ali tribe of Hedd

who also claim, quite unjustifiably, that they were
once given a promise by Shaikh Isa that they should
at all times be exempted from all and any form of

taxation, therefore they resent having to pay 2s 1 /-
per annum on each fish trap.
Zhalifieh Estates and feudal rights. A pro­

clamation was issued during the summer by Shaikh
Hamad forbidding members of the Ruling Family to sell
or mortgage their ancestral property. It was a
necessary step as some of the Khalifah had already

disposed of all their property at very low prices
and having no longer any rents expected to be sup­
ported by Shaikh Hamad or the State.
hon’ble the
Discussion took place between the/Resident and
Shaikh Hamad on the on the subject of the Ruling
familyfs rights over nSehatn i.e., whole villages

and districts in Bahrain gifted to them by Shaikh
Isa. An agreement was arrived at which should
protect the interests of the Bahama occupying land

within the ,,Sehatrt and it was decided that the ancient
family custom of the Khalifah should be enforced by
which "Hibat", gifts, from the Ruler should be valid

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