Page 398 - Gulf Precis(VIII)_Neat

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(3I Bungalow of same plan as Major Smith's house, situated about J of a mile south­
west of it.
This house is in ruins and is not worth repairing.
The flagstaff is placed near this house and is in good condition.
(4) House formerly occupied by the Assistant Surgeon is completely ruined.
(5) House and store rooms formerly occupied by the late Khudadad, the old contrac­
tor, in ruins, with the exception of two small store-rooms.
(6) A small barrack for the native guard, in a bad state of decay, roofs fallen in and
walls going.
(7) A serai with five rooms and a kitchen. This has been put in good repairs by the
Agent for travellers; it consists of 5 small rooms and verandah and has a kitchen
attached. It is only suitable for natives.
(8) Three berkas or reservoirs for rain water. These measure about 60' long by 8'
broad and are 10 deep. They are in good repair and were full at the time of Lieutenant
Hunt's visit.
Lieutenant Hunt's opinion is that only one of the Govemment'buildings above describ­
ed is at all capable of reoair, namely, the house known as Major Smith’s house. The
buildings were originally of very poor construction, being of stone set in mud.
Tho Agent and the puttawala live in their own quarters which do not belong to Govern­
ment, about $ mile from the flagstaff and from the pier.
3. With reference to your request for an expression of my opinion as to whether it is
desirable on political grounds to prevent the buildings from falling entirely into ruin, I
have the honour to observe that, in my opinion, such political rights as we may have at
Bassidore are sufficiently maintained by the presence of our Native Agent at the place
with a flagstaff which is standing and in good repair. I can see no object in keeping
in repair buildings which have not been occupied for many years, and which are not likely
ever to be occupied again, and in any case the state of the buildings, as described by Lieut­
enant Hunt, appears to be such that it will be hardly worth while to repair them.
268. The Government of India agreed with the Resident that in the circum­
stances for the time being, no steps need be taken to repair the buildings (No.
671-E. A., dated 29th April 1901).
269. It was reported by the Resident that the Coal Agent used to fly the
British flag at Bassidore on Sundays and
Secret E., August 1901, Nos. 34*43.
holidays and also on the arrival of any ship. •
The Government of India ordered that the British flag should be flown at Bas­
sidore every day from sunrise to sunset (Telegraph dated 14th June 1901).
270. With reference to some proposals put forward by Commander Phillipps
s.ct.te., July 1902,Nos.43-48. °f lhe stuV* in March '9°«. improving
the naval rifle range at Bassidore, Rear
Admiral Bosanquet instructed the Senior Naval Officer
“ It is not considered advisable at present for political reasons to take any new action
in this respect or to undertake any new work which would seem to indicate any special
activity on our part, but you should take care as far as possible to unobstrusively main­
tain and renew all the old and customary signs of our connection with and usage of, Bas­
sidore in order that our rights and title there may not at any future time be challenged.
Any stores therefore which are necessary to maintain the range on its present footing
should if possible be provided by the ships using it as has hitherto been the case. ”
(iii) Limits of the Bassidore Station.
271. The Government of India addressed the following instructions to the
Resident as to the intended residence of
Ibid, No. 43.
Persian officials in what is called the Portu-
guese settlement at Bassidore
No. iii2*E. A., dated Simla, the 9th July igoi.
From—J. B. Wood, Esq., Under Secretary to the Government o( India, Foriegn Department,
To—The Political Resident in the Persian Gulf.
Inyour diary for the week which ended on the 17th June 1901, you mention that a
Peraian representative of the Belgian Administration of the Persian customs has recently
paid two visits to Bassidore, and that he informed the Coal Agent there that his object was