'Reports of administration for 1918 of divisions and districts of the occupied territories in Mesopotamia. Volume I' [‎226v] (457/470)

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14,500 souls ; it has now probably increased to 16,000, with a further floating popu
lation of perhaps 1,500. As the head of a sanjaq and meeting place of Mosul,
Baghdad, and Persian currents of trade, the town was a busy and wealthy one ; but
the stress of war, and, in particular the blockade enforced in the occupied territories, had
reduced the city at the time of our arrival to great poverty. TAe entered to find the
town dirty and in ill-repair, wasted with fever and poverty, and in trade and produce
paralysed. A large section of the officials (a most important stratum here) fled with
the withdrawing government to Irbil, hundreds of Christians and Jews were absent
as refugees in Baghdad, some of the most influential Muslims had withdrawn to
remote estates in the district.
The Baladiyah staff was found intact, except for the President, who shortly
returned from Irbil. During the short period under report, their labours, combined
with the sudden removal of war conditions and restrictions, have wrought a most
gratifying change in the state of the town. Pood prices have dropped 300 per cent.,
partly owing to large imports from beyond the Zab, partly to free importation from
‘Iraq. The public health, owing to a prevailing malaria, remains indifferent. Every
day brings refugees and emigrants back to their homes, while the bazaar, which
10 weeks ago blended the features of a seAver and a wilderness, is now the scene of
much trade and bustle. The corps of sweepers employed by the municipality and
controlled by a native sanitary officer has made some difference to the cleanliness of
the streets, but the frequence of ruined buildings, and the too natural habits of the
Kirkuklis, prevent a high standard in this direction. The municipal income, mostly
let out on farm, is approximately Us. 7,000 a month—ample to support an adequate
staff and do good work in cleaning, repairing, and improving the town and relieving
poverty. In the earliest days of our occupation the remarkable number of destitute
children called for an orphanage, which was at once started and holds 50 children.
This has been paid for by General Besources. The improvement in the condition of
the inmates has thoroughly justified it.
(b) Altun Keupri.—AYAs Baladiyah is supported almost entirely by the fees from
crossing the Zab. The breaking of the bridge has necessitated the use of the ferry
under municipal arrangements. The town, shrunk to less than 2,000 souls, is any
thing but prosperous, and was particularly dirty. The agricultural loans, the provision
of skins for kelleks, and the prospect of the bridge being rebuilt, have done something
to revive the inhabitants from a very noticeable apathy and dullness. In former
times the revenues from the bridge tolls so far exceeded the needs of the place that
large sums were remitted to public objects (such as the School of Arts and Crafts) in
Kirkuk.
(c) Tauq .—As the headquarters of a mudirate this has long been a baladiyah—
but no municipal activities of any sort are discernable and cannot well be expected in
view of the minute revenues. Just enough money can be scraped together to pay
small wages to a clerk and a chaush, and occasionally sweep a road. Tauq, indeed, is
a mere village and not the largest in the district.
6. Judicial. —Immediately upon the British occupation of Kirkuk the need for
courts became apparent. The months of officialised pillage and the numerous civil
cases arising from a period of instability and disrespect of rights, far exceeded the
powers of a single officer to settle. A peace court, placed under Ahmad Hamdi
Effendi, who was appointed Qadhi by Captain Bullard, was opened, with power to
decide civil cases not affecting real property up to a value of Its. 500. He has
proved an extremely energetic and efficient president. The court has averaged live
or six cases a day and court fees have reached Its. 1,800 a month. *
Petty criminal cases were left for a time in the hands of a police Mudir, since
promoted to other work. They and others arising in Kirkuk town are now dealt
with by the Assistant to A.P.O. A shaEah court will probably be opened shortly, as
the need of it is becoming increasingly apparent. Some cases of land rights have
been submitted for investigation to a special standing committee of three select
notables, who have collected and sifted evidence to enable A.P.O. to give a ruling. It
is realised that, pending a general settlement of the country by a specially qualified
officer or committee, such a ruling can be little more than a personal opinion and
does not confer a final and perfect right. 7
7. Education. —Judged by the number of schools and professors, Kirkuk, under
the Turks, was very well supplied with educational facilities. There were seven
schools supported hy Government; a large Madrasah Ilmiyah, paid for half by