'تقرير الإدارة عن المقيمية السياسية في الخليج الفارسي للسنوات ١-١٩١٤" [و‎‎٢‎٠‎٠] (٤٨٨/٤٠٤)

FOR THE YEAR 1813. 133
When Bushire was plague infected in April passengers arriving at Kuwait
Quarantine. quarantined in boats near the Shaikh's
„ Customs, the Shaikh having abando™?
Kurain Island on the score of difficulties regarding water, supplies and com-
jflunic&tion.
Military Assistant Surgeon 0 0 Kelly, I.S.M.D, was in charge of th P
dispensary and quarantine arrangements throughout the year. 3
The Shaikh was approached by the Political Agent with a view to pro-
Chiistian Cemetery.
vidmg a plot of ground for a Christian
plot 150 feet square to the west of the town free. The ^^Te^marfed
and the Governmeat of India have been asked to make a special grant of
money to admit of its being adequately fenced in during 1914.
The administration of the Shaikh's Customs rested with Abdul Musin
Customs Administration.
and Haji Ali Abda until August 1913
when the former, who was in the last
stage of consumption, was given leave and one Saliman bin Badr, a local Arab
was appointed in his place on a salary of R200 per mensem plus a loan of
E10 3 000 for trading purposes Haji Ali Abda was removed on the representa
tions of the new incumbent who manned his Department with an entirelv new
staff. The new Customs Master seemed unable to realize his responsibilities
and was soon in trouble with the British India Steam Navigation Companv's
local agents over mislanded and excess cargo, which he appeared to regard as
Ms perquisite; in November, however, the Shaikh himself discovered that
Suliman bin Badr had been secretly selling all mislanded cargo and appropriat
ing the proceeds. He immediately dismissed and imprisoned him for about
5 days, only releasing him on the payment in cash of E3,000 against some
RIO,000 claimed for embezzled Customs receipts and E2,000 on account of
dates given to him by the Shaikh last year. He is said to have since paid the
balance to the Shaikh. Abdul Latif bin Abdul Jalil, a local Arab, has now
been appointed Customs Master, with Mr. William Hickey, a Basrah Christian
and formerly clerk and manager of Messrs. Gray Paul and Company at Kuwait
as Hamal-Bashi. Unless these two men give way to the many temptations
which present themselves in the Customs for enriching themselves, it is hoped
that the management of the Customs will be considerably improved.
Yusuf Nasrani who was taken as a clerk in the Customs last year was
dismissed in April. His dismissal was unexpected and was probably the result
of iiltrigues on the part of the other members of the Customs establishment.
The Customs premises have been considerably enlarged during the year
by the reclamation of more ground and the extension of; covered space. The
whole has also been properly fenced and merchandise awaiting clearance is
not now exposed to the old risk of loss and damage by thieves and weather.
The Shaikh, with a view to making merchants clear their goods sooner and to
avoid accumulations, is said to be contemplating the introduction of wharfage
dues shortly. He has also, it is reported, ordered from England a 3-ton hand-
power crane for landing and shipping heavy packages at the wharves.
The following ships of His Majesty's Navy and the Eoyal Indian Marine
Naval and Marine. visited K ™ait during the year :
H- M. S, Philomel" on the 11th January.
H. M. S. " Pelorus " on the 24th January.
H. M. S. " Odin " on the 18th Pebruary.
I. G. T. S. <c Patrick Stewart " on the 20th March and 23rd December.
H. M. S. 44 Alert " on the 20th April.
H. M. S, " Pox " on the 26th October.
H. M. S. " Sphinx" on the 11th November.
H. M. S. " Swiftsure " on the 4th December.
R I. M. S. "Lawrence" on the 2ith November and 4th December.
As a result of the establishment of the Arms "Warehouse in Maskat the
Arms Traffic. illicit traffic in arms appears to have died
out entirely, so far at least as Kuwait is