"ملف 19/175 البحرين - تجارة اللؤلؤ" [و‎‎٤] (٨٣/٧)

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Serial No. 1. —Express letter to the Secretary to the Government of
India in the Foreign and Political Department, Delhi, No. 27-T.,
DATED THE 13TH (RECEIVED 17TH) MARCH 1924.
Subject :— Bahrain Reforms. Pearling Industry.
My endorsement No. 124 -S. of 15th February (Serial No. 295 in file No. 480-X.:)
Political Agent has consulted Shaikhs Hamad and Abdulla and all agree that
accounts on the lines I have susf^ested can be introduced, and that it would be
advantageous to do so forthwith in time for this season. Accordingly 1 am
telegraphing to Political Agent to get Shaikh Hamad to issue the necessary
orders.
The Shaikhs consider that the nakhudas will not like sharing actual sale value
of pearls for fear they should be taxed proportionately — a diver's share being
taken as tax in most states. To obviate the chance 9f fraud and collusion between
nakhudas and drivers to falsify the sale value of pearls the Shaikhs have decided
to charge a regular license fee on pearl boats based on the average diver's share
gained by such boats, but a great deal less. The average for a good sized boat
in Kuwait is considered to be about Rs. 5$0 and the Shaikhs propose to levy
license fees in the grades according to the size of the boats, commencing at
lis. 250 for the large boats. This will be much less than charged by other Shaikhs,
but a clear gain in Bahrain where for many years no regular tax has been levied
on pearling boats.
In anticipation of sanction T am authorizing the Political Agent to agree to
Shaikh Hamad proceeding with the licenses for the coming season.
2. As another reform the Shaikh proposes to start .a H ospital Dhow to te«iir
round the pearl banks, and requires a Sub-Assistant Surgeon to be in charge. The
expenses of this boat have been entered in the budget: the only difficulty is the
Sub-Assistant Surgeon. Could Government aid the Shaikh bv ajppoijjtmg^aL
regular Sub Assistant Surgeon for foreign service in Bahrain for this duty ? He
should be a Mohommedan, and must be a good sailor, preferably a man who lias
served on ships. He should be prepared to stay at least two years, as it will take
him some time to learn the language and get into the work. Salary proposed
Rs. 150 per mensem plus Rs. 25 per mensem when out with the Pearling
Fleet.
This man to be any use this season should be nominated at o ice.
In the off season the Sub-Assistant Surgeon would assist the Assistant Surgeon
in charge of the Victoria Memorial Hospital who has now a good deal of work.
The Shaikh proposes to make him the Official Doctor and pay him a fixed
retaining fee for this duty, as well as his salary for Quarantine work.
Thp Residency Surgeon considers the scheme for a Hospital Dhow a very
good one and entirely approves of the suggestion that the Assistant Surgeon
should be the Official Doctor and supervise the Hospital Dhow as well as the
Victoria Memorial Hospital.
As mentioned above I am authorizing Major Daly to get Shaikh Hamad to
proceed with the new system of accounts and the licensing pearling dhows at once
in anticipation of sanction in order to bring the system into operation this
season.
\\ r ith the same object in view in the case of the Hospital Dhow will Govern
ment be pleased to select a Sub-Assistant Surgeon as soon as possible ?