'Reports of administration for 1918 of divisions and districts of the occupied territories in Mesopotamia. Volume I' [‎82v] (169/470)

Establishment and Personnel.— The present staff of three British Officers is
adequate, and before long I hope to divide the district into sub-divisions, eac
under an Assistant A.P.O. The A.P.O. in charge of the district will then be relieved
of minor duties, and will be able to turn his attention to more important matters,
which it has not hitherto been possible to take up. .
As soon as routine can be established, and the staff more adequately trained,
a reduction in the number of Shu‘bahs should be possible. The greater the number
of Shu‘bahs the larger the volume of work at headquarters, the heavier the expense,
and the more difficult the supervision.
There is a crying need for trained clerks. Something has been done by the
establishment of the Revenue school at Baghdad, but the class of man or boy turned
out is not very suitable, except for the headquarters’ office under the eye of the
A.P.O. It would, I think, be advisable to import more Indian clerks on temporary
agreements in order both to carry on the current work and to train up the local
men. With an inexperienced and untrained clerical establishment, the waste of
time is incredible. It might be possible to extend the Revenue school to include
instruction in office work, and to institute short courses for clerks already employed.
The pay of Revenue mamurs is low. A mamur shu‘bah has to incur heavy
expenses in entertainment; everyone who comes to his shu‘bah gets coffee, and
many of them food for man and horse as well. With falling prices the difficulty
will decrease, but I think it would be worth while to pay a war allowance.
There is scope for the creation of a class of officials in a position between the
A.P.O. and the Mamur Shu‘bah, similar to that of Deputy Collectors in India.
Those officers would check Shu‘bah account s, make inspect ions of lands and
buildings, and try small cases, and generally supervise and check the work of
Mamurs Shu‘bah. The posts might be filled partly by the appointment of Arabs
of good family and education, and partly by the promotion of Mamurs Shu‘bah,
who have at present no prospects of advancement.
I wish to bring to the notice of the Civil Commissioner the names of Shaikhs
‘Addai and Hazza‘, who have rendered valuable services to Government. Shaikh
‘Addai is the leading Shaikh of the district, and has managed a somewhat turbulent
tribe with conspicuous success. Shaikh Hazza‘’s tribe were the first to complete
payment of their shitwi revenue. Both Shaikhs have readily given every assistance
required.
Of the townsfolk I would mention Saiyid Muhammad ‘Ali Qazvini and ‘Abdul
Razzaq Chalabi. The former is the chief Shi‘ah ‘Alim. He has always shown
himself ready to assist, and to exert his very considerable influence on behalf of the
British Administration. ‘Abdul Razzaq Chalabi is a wealthy merchant and holds
the office of Rais Baladiyah. He has shown untiring energy in the affairs of the
town, and in all matters it is always possible to count on his loyal co-operation.
Among the district staff, Ibrahim Eff., formerly head clerk, was promoted to
be Vernacular Assistant as a reward for good work. His duties have been heavy,
and he has always discharged them ably and cheerfully. Sadhu Ram, formerly
Accountant, has recently undertaken in addition the work of Head Clerk. In both
capacities he has worked hard and entirely to my satisfaction, and has proved
himself competent and reliable. Emile Bazawi Eff., Head Revenue Clerk, on whom
has fallen the bulk of the heavy Revenue work, has shown considerable ability and
possesses a very good knowledge of the details of Revenue work.
L. S. L. Dacres, Capt.,
A.P.O.. Hillah.