'Reports of administration for 1918 of divisions and districts of the occupied territories in Mesopotamia. Volume I' [‎151r] (306/470)

loan from a regular moneylender. A suggestion for the increase of our rate of
interest has been given up on the consideration that it makes the transaction less
secure. With savings accumulating year after year, the number of transactions is
daily increasing. This will be met by the diversion of capital from loans to
purchase of immovable properties and cultivation of gardens.
(g) Collection of Estates' 1 Dues. —The incomes of the Courts of Wards’ estates are
derived chiefly from three sources, viz., house rents, produce of gardens and interest
on loans. A complete list of all immovable property, comprising gardens, with full
details, has been prepared on a form approved by the Senior Judicial Officer this
year. A demand register of all house property was prepared and systematic
quarterly collection of rents introduced. There are 193 buildings in all under the
management of the Court of Wards. The President was able to visit all the
estates twice during the past nine months. A point was made of deciding all cases
affecting properties on the spot. This has kept the President in close touch with
the fallahs Arabic for ‘peasant’. It was used by British officials to refer to agricultural workers or to members of a social class employed primarily in agricultural labour. .
(h) Sale of Dates. —The date produce of most of the big gardens was farmed
for cash. Out of a total value of the year’s date crop, estimated at Rs. 71,000/-,
a sum of Rs. 58,445/- was thus realised. The customers had a very sanguine view
of the date prices this year and consequently we realised a very good sum. The
estate of Haji Ibrahim al Zuhair, taken over this year, fetched a record price.
Our other procedure was to farm the produce to fallahs Arabic for ‘peasant’. It was used by British officials to refer to agricultural workers or to members of a social class employed primarily in agricultural labour. in kind. This was
done in some of the gardens that remained undisposed of. This method is not
profitable, and it is not looked upon by the Mallaks with much favour. Direct
collection was arranged in the remaining gardens, as the offers of the fallahs Arabic for ‘peasant’. It was used by British officials to refer to agricultural workers or to members of a social class employed primarily in agricultural labour. were
not acceptable. This method has its own drawbacks. It is not always possible
to get a trustworthy watchman and a good man seldom takes up the job. Naturs
were, however, appointed in consultation with the village headman and occasional
surprise visits were made to the gardens.
(j) Suits for Debt. —There were five decrees payable at the beginning of the
year. The judgment debtors having failed to satisfy the claim, applications were
made in two cases for execution of decrees against their person. The first has served
his six months and has been released and the second is in jail. The third is in
Bombay and action has been postponed pending his return. It is now proposed
to apply for execution against the property of the second judgment debtor. The
property of the first would not sell, as he is a tribal Arab, and a moneyed townsman
is loth to make a bad investment. The judgment debtors in two other cases are
too poor to pay anything, and the estates are too poor to maintain them in jail.
(k) Damage to Property. —Damage was done to five gardens by reason of their
beino- occupied by the troops. Compensation has been applied for in three cases
for date-trees cut down and in five cases for damage caused by the closing of water
channels and consequent failure of date crop. These are under investigation by
the Compensation Officer. A sum of Rs. 1,555/- has been recovered during the
year for compensation applied for in the preceding year.
(l) Claims of Estates. —Several claims of different estates were investigated
durino- the year. Some of them were found barred by limitation. In one case,
however, the debtor was too honest to take advantage of limitation and he was
kind enough to give a new bond binding himself to pay the claim in 24 months*
Rs. 7,884/- in all were collected in claims. There was one important pre-emption
suit pending in the Junior Court at the beginning of the year. After several hearings
it was decided in favour of the Court of Wards. Three new suits were instituted
during the year. Two were decided in favour of the Court of Wards, and the third
was "adjourned sine die, the defendant having died before the case came up for
hearing. All these cases were pursued by the President in person.
(m) Brick Kiln. The Court of Wards came in possession of a ruined brick
kiln, situate at Qurmat Ali, on taking over the estate of Haji ‘Ali Khaqi this year.
The' kiln was repaired and worked. Bricks have been successfully burnt for the
first time, but no definite results can be recorded this year, as the military have
temporarily stopped the purchase of bricks. It is hoped that it will prove a
profitable business, but it requires constant supervision and watching.
(n) Government Revenues and Taxes .—The total amount which the estates paid
to Government on account of revenue* &c.* was Rs. 5,61 o/4/9. Rs, 3,614/15/9 were