'Reports of administration for 1918 of divisions and districts of the occupied territories in Mesopotamia. Volume I' [‎150v] (305/470)

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our existing position in the town we have, and endeavour to order its growth in the
line of natural development which would ensue without forcible direction. Meetings
have been held to ascertain the views of the local inhabitants and of the European
and American trading community, but no definite decision has been reached.
The subject is one of urgency, in that there is strong demand for the construction
of business offices, warehouses, and of residential quarters, all of which are required
immediately. But it would be a mistake to embark on a scheme not fully matured,
and it is matter of regret that this contingency was not kept in view and officially
examined, as military works have progressed throughout the long period of army
occupation—a warning continually urged by myself during the past 18 months.
(4) Court of Wards .—The following paragraphs are taken from the report of
Chaudhri Allah Bakhsh, B.A., who succeeded Khan Sahib Mirza Muhammad as
President of the Court of Wards on 3rd April. He has shown ability, keenness and
tact in the conduct of his duties and his physical activity in visiting his estates has
contributed very largely to the success of his work.
(a) Extension of Jurisdiction .—On 1st April 1918 the jurisdiction of the Court
of Wards was extended to the whole of the Basrah district under G.O.C., Regulation
No. 2 of 1918. G.O.C., Regulation No. 2 of 1915 was repealed and the new “ Court
of Wards Regulation ” was substituted therefor. It came into force from the
1st August 1918 and the control of the Court of Wards was transferred from the
Senior Judicial Officer to the Political Officer, Basrah, from the same date.
(b) Estates in Charge .—At the beginning of the year there were 40 estates
under management amounting to Rs. 6,93,078/4/- in the aggregate. Sixteen estates
aggregating Rs. 4,63,420/8/- were taken over during the year under report. These
include one estate under provisional superintendence for which the Civil Commis
sioner’s sanction is awaited. Superintendence was withdrawn from one estate of
the value of Rs. 10,795/-, the wards having attained majority. Partial superin
tendence was withdrawn from two other estates aggregating Rs. 17,697/14/- for
similar reason, thus leaving 55 estates aggregating Rs. 11,28,635/14/- under the
superintendence of the Court of Wards at the close of the year. Of these, six belong
to Jews and the rest to Mohammedans. There are no estates under management
belonging to Christians.
(c) Income.—The gross income of the estates rose from Rs. 1,10,437/4/- to
Rs. 2,76,005/-, including Government levy. The net income rose from Rs. 78,208/-
to Rs. 1,23,443/6/11. During the year the yield of date crop was far below the normal,
but this deficiency was made up in better prices prevailing this year as compared
with last year. There was good prospect of increase under rents of buildings. The
promulgation of the Rent Restrictions Rules in July 1918, however, adversely
affected the incomes under this heading. Of the 16 estates taken over this year,
four came under management so late in the year that no income could be collected.
(d) Expenditure .—The total gross expenditure, inclusive of loans advanced and
investments made, rose from Rs. 1,30,486/- to Rs. 2,25,691/-. The increase is due
to a large number of loans advanced and payment of the shares of wards from
whose estates the superintendence was withdrawn during the year.
(e) Investment of Savings. Considerable sums of money are advanced in loans
at 12 per cent, per annum interest. Rs. 98,319/6/- were due in 1918. Of this,
Rs. 87,273/6/- were recovered and Rs. 11,046/- are outstanding. A sum of
Ks. 11,446/12/— was earned as interest during the year. Loans to the value of
Ivs. 1,02,350/6/— were issued during the year under report. Of a total of 72 loans
issued during the year, 51 loans amounting to Rs. 33,439/— were given on personal
security, and 21, amounting to Rs. 68,911/6/—, on mortgage of landed property.
Investment of savings on purchase of gardens and house property is a profitable
expedient and is looked upon by the local Mallak with much favour. Moreover,
immovable piopeity is moie secure than cash in the hands of a young ward newly
taking up the responsibility of managing his own estate. Action has been taken
in this direction towards the close of the year, and it is proposed to spend more
money on purchase of immovable properties in future.
(f) Loans. There has been no difficulty in recovering the loans with interest.
There are more applications for loans than the Court of Wards can advance. This
i' s ( lue to the fact that our rate of interest (viz., 12 per cent, per annum) is lower
than that of the town moneylender, who charges as much as 25 per cent, per annum.
Besides that, the Court of Wards loans save all the annoyances accompanying a