ملف ٢٢٩٧/ ١٩١٩ "تقارير شهرية للمقيمية البريطانية في الخليج الفارسي. ١٩١٢-١٩٢٠." [ظ‎‎٤‎٨‎٦] (١٠٤٤/٩٧٧)

2
Local Officials,
(Hasa).
Local Government,
(Hasa).
Katif,
BAHRAIN.
1st to 29th February.
108. Behan Effendi arrived from Basrah by the SS. “ Baroda ” on 18th Feb
ruary. He proceeded to Katif and Ojair in order to examine the accounts of the
“ Public Debts ” Department of the Customs. f
109. Under pressure from Haji Muqbil Udh Dhakair and other prominent
Bahrain subjects, Shaikh Isa has recently been emitting various fiscal regulations.
He has ordained that fish is to be sold at not more than 8 annas per Ruba’ (4
lbs). The price has been Re. 1 to Rs. 1-8-0. Similarly, the maximum price of meat
has been fixet at Rs. 1-8-0 per Rubak For several months the price current has
been Rs. 3. The buying public is much pleased, but the same cannot be said for
the sellers. The fish-sellers tried withdrawing from the market and selling privately
in their houses at the old rates. The butchers, who form a, strong syndicate and
monopoly run by one Haji Ahmed Samak, attempted to disregard the regulation,
and, when one of their members was imprisoned owing to the popular clamour,
they wrote to Persia countermanding the despatch of slaughter animals. The Shaikh
objected, but it was expected that the butcher fraternity would secure themselves
by paying Rs. 2,000 to Shaikh Isa and Rs. 1,000 to Shaikh Hamad.
The Government is probably in the right, but it always legislates in the dark
on the instigation of individuals and its regulations are seldom enforced for any
length of time. Fortunately the butchers are all Bahrain- subjects, so the Agency
will not be called on to combat the Shaikh’s arbitrary methods in this case.
110. In two other matters on which Shaikh Isa was pressed, he has stood firm.
He refused to use his influence with Shaikh Mubarak of Kuwait in favour of one
Saqar-bin-Ghanim and he refused to give a subscription to the Arab Reading Room
in Manama {vide paragraph 18). He represented himself as piqued at not having
been appealed to at an earlier stage. If Shaikh Isa has the merit of being prudent
and economical in most things, he cannot at the same time be expected to be open-
handed, and he is not.
111. Mr. F. K. Boomla, L. M. and S., a Parsi, engaged by Shaikh Isa to take
charge of the Quarantine arrangements, arrived without previous warning to the
Agency, by the SS. “ Patiala ” on 19th February. It is said that he was approved
by the Surgeon-General with the Government of Bombay. This is being verified.
In the meantime, charge has been made over to him by Assistant Surgeon Monani.
His arrival has synchronised with a heavy burst of work, and there are at pre
sent some 500 persons in the Quarantine Station. This may be regarded as the best
means possible in the circumstances for the spread of disease.
Previous to this, two batches of passengers on ships in Quarantine has escaped
ashore owing to the absence of Quarantine guards. Mr. Boomla appears to be work
ing conscientiously and has shown himself very willing to take instructions from
the Political Agent. As he lives down at the Customs, however, and not as Assistant
Surgeon Monani at the Agency, and as relations have to be regular and formal,
the new system entails much extra expenditure of time and trouble.
112. With reference to paragraph 19, the Mutasarrif arrived back at Hasa du
ring the 3rd week of February, and received an enthusiastic welcome at the outer
gate of the town from the principal inhabitants. He was detained at Ojair for
some time waiting for an escort which had to be sent for him from Hasa.
113. With reference to paragraph 20, the Yuzbashi has been recalled to Hasa
and the Commander has sent another officer to take his place at Katif. It is said
that the case between the Yuzbasbi and Haji Mansur-bin-Juma has been referred to
the Military Headquarters Office in Baghdad. The general excitement among
the Shias in Katif has now to some extent subsided, but dissatisfaction still exists
in some quarters.
114. With reference to paragraph 24, it is stated that about 6 soldiers have
been stationed at Kasr-as-subaih. The question of establishing a Customs post