'Reports of administration for 1918 of divisions and districts of the occupied territories in Mesopotamia. Volume I' [‎79r] (162/470)

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improved, and the income of the municipality has increased. The revised budget
indicates a balance of Rs. 34,700 on the year’s working, but this is more apparent
than real. At present the baladiyah does not discharge its obligations. The cost
of all roads is defrayed from military funds, nothing is contributed to the hospital
or to education, and the expenditure on lighting is far too low. The sanitation
of the town leaves a good deal to be desired, and more money must be spent under
that head. The Snq is sorely in need of repair; there is no butchers’ market, and
the vegetable market is not very suitable. In view of the shortage of accommodation
and the desirability of getting the ruined houses repaired as soon as possible it
would probably be advisable, as soon as prices moderate, to make advances to
house owners for the repair of their property.
The execution of these and other reforms would require more money than
is available. Most of them are urgent, and fresh sources of income must be sought.
It is always inexpedient for a new Government to start on its career by imposing fresh
taxation, and I would prefer to raise money by indirect means. The people have
not complained about the house-tax, but I am reluctant to introduce other direct
taxes. It is probable that in 1919 receipts under all heads will increase slightly,
and the rates of the license tax might be raised, but more is required than can be
obtained in this way. Taxation is less felt when indirect, and a considerable source
of income could be derived from a terminable tax on imports levied at the railway
station. Octroi offers too many opportunities for peculation and bears too hardly
on the small cultivator to be a satisfactory tax. It would be desirable to acquire
some of the soda-water, ice, electric light, and water plant now in the country,
as soon as this is no longer required by the Army. Waterworks would probably
not pay their way, though in view of the quickness of the Arab to recognise an
improvement, this is doubtful; but the sale of mineral waters and ice and provision
of electric light would, I think, be remunerative undertakings, and there is now an
excellent opportunity of establishing these industries on a firm footing before
competition begins. Before setting up a municipal electric light plant careful
inquiries would be necessary, and a loan from Government would be required, but,
provided the machines can be obtained, there is no reason why the sale of ice and
mineral waters should not begin at once. I am considering a proposal for tax on
oil which was levied by the Turks, but I am inclined to suggest that oil be made a
Government monopoly for the benefit of municipalities. Consumption in view of
the lack of fuel, the proximity of the oil fields, and the probable extension of the
use of oil engines, is certain to be very high, and the profits of the monopoly corre
spondingly large, while at the same time it should be possible to sell the oil to
the people at a lower rate than any prevailing in former days.
No great interest is being taken in their town by the people of Hillah, but
under a military occupation interest is hardly to be expected. I am endeavouring
to induce them to call on me and discuss means of improving the mnnicipality,
and I hope that slowly a source of civic pride may develop. The one exception
to the general apathy is the Rais Baladiyah, ‘Abdul Razzaq Chalabi. This
gentleman has always been a steady supporter of British rule and has thrown
himself indefatigably into all schemes for the benefit of the town. His ability
and industry have been invaluable.
6. Judicial. —At the beginning of the year all judicial work, except for a few
important cases, was done by the A.P.O., Town. On my arrival as A.P.O. District
those from outside the municipality were transferred to me. f have already dealt
with revenue cases. Owing to the pressure of other work, it was impossible to
take up civil suits arising outside the town until the arrival o1 a Judicial Officer in
October. In the town a panel of 14 prominent townsmen representing all creeds was
formed, and from this two members were selected daily to sit for the trial of civil
cases. By this method the possibilities of collusion with parties were minimised.
The A.P.O., Town, and Rais Baladiyah, to whom a certain number of cases was
transferred, sat with the members selected for the day. This system has been
satisfactory, and I think it is worthy of continuance. A small cause court might
be formed under the supervision of the judicial officer, consisting of not more than
one paid official sitting with two honorary assessors chosen from the panel. Such a
court would he both cheaper and more popular than one composed of a bench of
three native judges. These questions, however, pertain rather to the judicial branch
of the administration. Since the opening of the court of first Instance at Hillah
no civil cases have been tried by A.P.O.s, though an occasional tribal dispute is
referred to a Shaikh.