'Summary of correspondence relative to the administration of the Port of Basrah and measures for the control of the shipping traffic in Mesopotamia.' [‎30v] (60/134)

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I have discussed the rates fully with the Chief Engineer of the Bombay Port
Trust, and we believe them to be reasonable.
The contractor pays income-tax.on Rs. 600 a month in Bombay, and I agreed
that in addition to his pay of Rs. 800 he should receive a small bonus for work
done within a specified period, details respecting which would be settled in Basrah.
5. Tools and Plant. —I enclose lists of plants, etc., which I have arranged
♦EnclosureNo.6. to procure from the Bombay Port Trust*
tEnclosure No. 7. Messrs Richardson and Cruddast, and
^Enclosure No. 8. . Messrs. Crowder and Co.,J respectively,
§ Enclosure Xo. 9. an( j a | so a containing certain items
not included in above, and as to which I am making enquiries.
6. Engineering Staff. —I am of opinion that my staff of Engineers, Surveyors,
etc., is very weak, more especially as some sickness must be anticipated in the hot
weather.
The European Staff at present consists of —
Mr. E. C. Niven, Assistant Director of River Conservancy.
Lieutenant Grant, R.E.
Captain Lakin, I.A.R.
and I hope that Mr. Berrill from the Burma Public Works Department and Lieu
tenant O'Rorke, R.E., will join the next month or so.
I recommend that another Engineer accustomed to river works be appointed
also a good Draughtsman and a Storekpeeer.
The' Secretary to the Government of India, Public Works Department, might
be able to recommend an Assistant Engineer and a Draughtsman. When I was
in Delhi in December last, a. Mr. P. Smith from the Burma Public Works Depart
ment was mentioned by Mr. Russell as a suitable man if more Engineers were
required. In the matter of Storekeeper, I recommend that Mr. B. F. Davidson, at
present employed by the Bombay Port Trust, be appointed at a salary of Rs. 150 per
mensem along with free quarters and free rations.
7. Transport to Basrah. —As it is of importance that all the men and plant
should proceed on one steamer, I discussed the matter with the Senior Embark
ation Officer, Bombay (Lieutenant-Colonel Dickson, Supply and Transport Corps),
and he was good enough to express willingness to undertake the whole business
if it was left in his charge. He was of opinion that he could conveniently pack
bundles of hay between the boilers and winches,
8. I desire to acknowledge the great assistance rendered to me in Bombay
by Mr. P. G. Messent, C.I.E., the Chief Engineer of the Bombay Port Trust, who
recommended the Chinese contractor, and otherwise placed his knowledge and
services at my disposal.
Enclosure No. 1.
Note on Wharfage accommodation at the "port of Basrah, with proposals for improve
ment and extension.
This note is intended to deal primarily with immediate war necessities but
it will be convenient to describe briefly the constitution of the port prior to the
British occupation, and trace its development to the present time, ft may also
be laid down as an axiom that the chief requirements of a modern port irrespective
of its use are ;—
(1) Facility for prompt discharge and despatch of steamers ;
(2) Ample storage accommodation for goods.
2. In the days of Turkish rule although the trade was considerable port
accommodation was practically non-existent. All sea-going steamers laid at their
anchors in the stream, and imports for Basrah were discharged into country
boats and landed at the Custom House wharf where imports for Baghdad were