'File 11/1 VI Muscat Administration Reports and related correspondence' [‎19r] (37/56)

The matter was then forwarded to the Consul at Muscat who suggested that it
would he best to deport "B" as there are no proper facilities to imprison a
man locally. This was done. "A" was set free as his father did not wish
to prosecute, and the gold ornaments were handed back to the father. Cases sr
debt are most common and still continue in the usual manner. Sane difficulty
is experienced and great patience has to be used to bring both parties to a
compromise. The debtor admits his debt but cries poverty and says he is
prepared to pay back in small instalments to which the other party will not
agree to. Persuasion has to be used then to make him see reason, eventually
he agrees. A Panchayat is still a reliable method of deciding minor cases,
and is still used. Leading merchants are generally appointed who take it in
writing from both parties that they will agree to their decision; of course
an appeal can always be made, but this is very seldom. When a point arises
where one's word is as good as the other, and both parties are Moslems, they
are sent to a Sharia court to swear in the presence of a Qazi. Punishment
of any description is very difficult in this court, the reason being that
whenever this is done a large deputation is received to plead for the accu
sed and various promises are made. I have given the question of "security"
considerable thought but under the circumstances T do not think it will
prove very successful. From the British subjects most cases come from the
Hindu's, and if I was to take security each time, if thought necessary, no
body would stand surety. I have tried this on a few occasions but not, as
I say, with any impressive results. If on the other hand/is sentenced to
one week's imprisonment, the result ends with the deputation coming Tip to
appeal, as mentioned above. I think the only alternative would be is to
impose small fines upon the accused according to the nature of the offence,
and the number of times that particular individual commits an offence. This
would have better results as I have learned that to merchants money is their
"God", and if they were to pay these fines it would be felt more than making
him sit in the local Fort for a few days.
6 . (b). There has been less Certificates of Identity and Emergency Certifi
cates issued this year as compared with last year. The reason for this is
that the cost of these were less last year, whereas this year the cost has
gone up to Rs. 7/8 for an Identity Certificate from Rs.1/2. Over three
thousand visas have been issued during the year which remains Rs.1/2. The
rate of exchange for this is Rs.15/- to £.1/-. The rush and lull in traffic
remains unchanged i.e. from March to September there is hardly any traffic,
but from October to February the rush for passports and visas begins. The
issue of regular passports is done at the British Consulate, Muscat. Most
of the traffic is between Gwadur and Karachi, a few to Bombay and fewer
still to the Gulf ports. There were a few more sale deeds registered this
year than last. Other than this very little notarial work is done.
Political.
7. The main communities in Gwadur who claim British protection are the
Khojas (followers of H.H.Sir Aga Khan^, the Hindus and a few local Baluchi's.
Of the IQiojas, Mukhi Ahmedbhoy Allibhoy Reimtullah is their leader and Mukhi
if the Ismailia Jamathkhannah. Hazur-Mukhi Kamrudin Abdul 1 has recently
been appointed Honorary Secretary of their Council. Under the leadership of
Ahmedbhoy the Khoja community are kept in strict dicipline, and he excereises
entire control over them. Cases involving both members of this conmunity
are settled before their Council. In February when the Aga Khan visited
Karachi, the entire eommunity, rich and poor, proceeded to Karachi to meet
His Highness and obtain his blessing. Unfortunately Ahmedbhqy's tennure of
Mukhi terminates on the 31st. March, 1951, and it is hoped that someone as
reliable as this man will be appointed in his place. He was given the Hon
orary title of Rai by His Highness. On the 13th. November I inspected their
Vernacular School and was surprised to see the interest taken by both the
teachers and the students. I was shown a sample of sane needle-work, cro
chet and knitting from the girls division which was very neatly done. A
new headmaster was employed earlier in the year who is taking personal inter
est in the school, and according to Ahmedbhoy he says he finds some improve
ment. I suggested to them that it would be a good idea if the pupils could
be encouraged in their needle-work etc. and an annual school exhibition
should be held in the Jamathkhanna and all this work displayed and sold.
This would encourage the students more. The suggestion was accepted. I
asked the headmaster. /