Page 41 - The Persian Gulf Historical Summaries (1907-1953) Vol IV_Neat

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reform of the Customs administration of Bahrein has
hecomo a tc«t cnso of the nature and degree of the
influence which the British Oovormnont may reasonably
claim to exorcise over (ho Hulcr of tlmao islands.'

100(1. In August 190G a further attempt was made
hy the llcsident to induce Hie Slicikh to intrust
the collection of the customs to the Government
of India for a specific sum, in place of farming
them out to the Bania-Britisli Indian contractors,
ito declined to adopt this course, aud the matter
was temporarily allowed to drop. It is suggested
t hat the real ground of the refusal is to be found
in the fact that Bahrein is the centre of a large
smuggling trade.

Judicial Powers exercised by llie Political Agent
at lialtrcin.
The Government of India raised this subject
1007.
in their despatch of the 14th November, 1907,
which is now under consideration, aud of which
the following is an extract:—
“ The Agent has at present the powers of a
Magistrate of the 1st class, as described in 'The
Code of Criminal Procedure, 180S,’ in respect of
offences committed hy native Indian subjects of
His Majesty in the Island of Bahrein and on the
southern shores of (ho Persian Gulf. He also
extends his good offices0 to European foreigners
in any disputes between them and the Chief of
Bahrein or his subjects.
“ Next, he holds a Court, composed of himself
and a representative of tho Chief, for the trial of
eases in which tho accused is a Bahrein subject
or a foreigner who prefers not to invoke British
good offices, and the other party is a British or
foreign subject who does so.
“ finally, he controls a local Court of Arbitra­
tion for the adjustment of civil disputes between
British subjects and protdgds on the one hand,
and Bahrein subjects or persons of any other
nationality, on tho other hand. This Court has
been in existence for over fifty years.
“ He also, on occasions, issues bills of health,
signs marine protests, and legalizes signatures on
behalf of British Indian subjects. Strictly

• Vide Secret despatch from Secretary of State, dated
June 21, 1901.