'Reports of administration for 1918 of divisions and districts of the occupied territories in Mesopotamia. Volume I' [‎53r] (110/470)

& 4
91
Ferries. Tn past years the receipts from the Turkish bridge tax at Kufah
was shared by both municipalities. The bridge was destroyed by floods and
neglect in December, 1916, and ferry boats were the only means of transit. The right
to collect ferry dues was farmed for Rs. 4,475/- a quarter.
A new bridge was constructed by the military authorities and opened to the
public on the 1st September. The bridge tolls were handed over to the military
for upkeep of the bridge. As this amount represented nearly half the then income
of the Kufah municipality, a grant in aid of Rs. 15,000/— was sanctioned. The
early acquisition of the bridge by the Civil Department is most desirable, when it
will presumably be restored to the municipality by purchase spread over a reasonable
period. Four small ferries in the municipal area are still in use and have been
farmed on a yearly lease of Rs. 3,000/-.
Town Improvements .—Very little was done last year towards the improvements
of Najaf, chiefly owing to lack of money and material. . The demolition of houses
all round the town to make a road inside the walls for armoured cars has given
Najaf some much needed ventilation.
All Government buildings were destroyed in the riots of 1915 and 1918, and a
great number of private houses have suffered as well. The old Government Sarai
has been recently put into thorough repair, and made into an excellent dispensary.
The inhabitants have subscribed a sum of Rs. 4,000/- for further additions.
A large pilgrim khan just inside the Kufah gate, belonging to the Bohra
community, has also been put into partial repair as a police barracks. It is hoped
that this building will be completed next year.
In addition to the ruined Government property referred to above, there are a
large number of houses confiscated from proscribed persons implicated in the 1918
disturbances. These are in varying stages of decay. Provision has been made in
the 1919-1920 budget for a Municipal Engineers’ establishment for Najaf and Kufah
at a cost of nearly Rs. 18,000/-.
Until a Civil Engineer can give these towns the benefit of his advice and undivided
attention, it is quite impossible to start the general work of reconstruction. This
will include the training of local craftsmen in improved brick construction, with oil
fuel, the use of ferro concrete in the place of unobtainable timber, and European
methods of accurate workmanship.
In addition to the planning of new buildings and repairs to old, a complete
draininge scheme must soon be considered, and wide streets must be constructed
in the place of the present consumptive alleys. Complete plans for a water supply
by pipe line from Kufah have been made by Lieut. Morris of the E. and M. Section
R.E. About 2,500 pipes, 14-in., had been purchased for this purpose by a company
formed before the war, in which Najaf Municipality holds a third share. Twelve
hundred of these were at ‘Ashar at the outbreak of war, waiting transhipment to
Kufah. These were commandeered by the Military authorities when we occupied
Basrah. The remainder are in situ along the proposed line. Five hundred of these
have been requisitioned for railway embankments on the Diyalah line.
In view of the fact that their value at Najaf at present freight rates is nearly
£10/- a pipe, and of the extraordinary difficulties of transport, the necessity for
their removal is most regrettable. A guarantee, however, has been given that these
will be replaced after the war, and it is to be hoped that it will be possible to give
early attention to the fulfilment of this promise.
It has been suggested that the water-pumping plant at Kufah might be
combined with an electric power station to light both towns and provide power for
numerous pumps and mills and the tramway to Najaf. The latter is the only
means of communication with the river and the outer world, as lack of water and
deep sand make other forms of wheel traffic impracticable.
The present tramway is excellently laid and of the best material. The rolling
stock, however, is deplorable, chiefly owing to difficulties of replacement during
the war.
The traditional love of the Arab for his horse is a far more inspiring theme than
his affection for hard cash, but the life-story of any of the eighty horses belonging
to the tramway company would go a long way towards shattering an ideal.
Thirty-five of these horses are at present beyond work.