'Reports of administration for 1918 of divisions and districts of the occupied territories in Mesopotamia. Volume I' [‎110r] (224/470)

Dagharah, QaVat Haji Mukhif and ‘Afaj .—The new Baladiyahs formed have
done excellent work. By Faz^s of the neighbouring tribes, immense pits in the
streets of all three towns, formerly full of foul water, have been filled in. At QaFat
Haji Mukhif and ‘Afaj, they were particularly bad. At the latter place, pits covered
nearly two acres of ground and were in places 20 feet deep, earth having been taken
for building purposes for years past.
At Dagharah and QaTat Haji Mukhif the river front has been repaired and
bridges over canals constructed within municipal limits. At ‘Afaj a river front,
1,500 yards in length and 8 to 10 yards wide, was made, thus saving the town, which
was rapidly being destroyed by the river. Masonry steps to the water have been
built. In all three municipalities, lighting and sanitation have been undertaken,
new roads made, and existing roads repaired and widened. Brick kilns have been
built, and bricks will shortly be available for construction of permanent public
latrines, paving of bazaars and re-roofing, which is essential.
The inhabitants have co-operated in effecting improvements, and now fully
recognise the benefits of sanitation.
A table showing municipal establishments and average incomes is given in
Appendix C.
6 . Judicial. —The inhabitants increasingly resort to Government for redress
in cases of debt, land and water disputes, &c. Petitions dealt with now vary from
500-800 monthly.
Official Shi‘ah ‘Alims have been appointed at Diwaniyah and ‘Afaj, and are of
great assistance in dealing with cases under Shara‘ law, reporting their decisions to
the A.P.O. A proposal for appointment of an ‘Alim at Dagharah is being submitted.
The maximum punishment of death had to be inflicted in three cases of cold
blooded murder. A considerable number of murder cases have been disposed of by
Fasl, under tribal law.
The crime of homicide was appallingly frequent, and the A.P.O. was granted
the powers of a Military Governor, by the Civil Commissioner, to enable him to deal
with the situation. Fortunately, with the exception of the three cases mentioned,
death sentences have not been necessary, and in the past few months there has beeji
a marked decrease in serious crime.
One serious case only of highway robbery has taken place in the past six months,
and the offenders were arrested and dealt with. Several small tribal fights, resulting
in one or two deaths, have taken place; but it has always been possible by early
intervention to stop the affair after the first outbreak, and no serious fighting has
taken place since A.pril last.
In spite of the fact that small camps of troops have been distributed about the
district, getting in the harvest, no case of interference with troops or thefts from
camps has been reported, though thefts of Government grain by Mahailah men and
others have been frequent, and the offenders generally brought to book.
7. Education. —A boys’ school has been opened in Diwaniyah wdth staff of
four masters, and over 200 pupils are now attending. A school for small girls has
just been started, and is proving successful. Arrangements are being made for
elementary technical instruction in carpentry and building.
The inhabitants of Dagharah and ‘Afaj have applied for educational facilities,
and a proposal is being submitted for orders.
Inhabitants report a marked improvement in the health of children since the
inauguration of the school. A sick parade is held daily, and ailing childien are sent
to the Dispensary for treatment.
8 . Medical. —A Civil Dispensary was opened in July, and an average of 80-90
out-patients attend daily. A considerable number of minor operations have taken
place, and a few in-patients are taken. The need for a whole-time Civil Surgeon,
who could visit Dagharah and ‘Afaj, is great; and it is hoped that one may be avail
able in the coming year. A mild form of cholera ran through the district m August,
and a large number of deaths occurred. The epidemic reached Diwaniyah, but
prompt measures were taken by the M.O. i an isolation hospital was established and
all cases and known contacts removed, and houses disinfected. Deaths in Diwaniyah
numbered 19
Small-pox was rampant in August and September, and infant mortality,
particularly among the tribes, was very high. Owing to the requirements of the
Army, it was impossible to obtain lymph to vaccinate. The tribes and townspeople
a: IO 1162—1 P