'File 8/8 Agency Administration Report 1922-1930' [‎11r] (26/474)

(C) The Salifeh Coart deals with pearl-Diving cases and consists of
/
a single venal ^adge,himself a pearl merchant and in the pay of
the other merchants* It hag become so corrupt that no justice
whatever can be expected from it and divers,the majority of whom
are British Protected subjects prefer to drop their cases rather
than have them referred to this court,the decisions of which are
always a foregone conclusion*
By the terms of the Bahrain Order In Council A regulation issued by the sovereign of the United Kingdom on the advice of the Privy Council. this Court should be
composed of two or more membarars appointed jointly by the BUler and
the Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. in consultation.No attempt to put right the
glaring abuses of the diving laws,practiced by empoyers,could be
made in the present political situation,as it would be strongly
opposed by the wealthy pearling community t and taken advantage of
*
by Shaik Abdulla as an opportunity to stir dp trouble for his own
ends. Nevertheless the position is one damaging to the prestige
of H.B.M T s Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. ,inasmuch as the divers who are mostly under its
protection are unable to obtain any sort of justice. Oppression in
the diving trade has of late years greatly exceeded that of any
of the other pearling centres in the Culf.lt is hoped that it will
be possible to take steps to deal with this situation during the
ensuing year,should a favourable opportunity occur.
Municipality . The Municipality initiated in Manameh in I92Q has
in the past year,effected a very great improvemBHt in the sanitatior
of the Town.An improvement in the public health is believed to be
noticeable and the fact that Bahrain hasit now been free of plague |
for an unusually long period,is attributed by many to the improve
ments. The Municipality was,in the early part of the year,under the
ban of popular disapproval owing to the tactless behaviour and
dishonest methods of an Indian who held the position of secretary.
r
On his dismissal Khan Bahadur Muhammad Sharif,a wealthy and enlighte]
-ad Persian,was induced to accept the post in an honarary capacity.
This gentleman has effected very considerable improvements and the
Municipality is now deservedly in favour with all classes.
A Municipality has also been started in the Town of
Muharraq.,but it is inefficiently in naged.A movement is on foot
in Bahrain