File 600/1905 Pt 5 'Aden Hinterland: Treaty with Sultan of Balahaf' [‎156r] (95/152)

10 . It is possible that be may in the future again reside himself at Habban,
and I gather that negotiations are even now proceeding amongst the leading
Say ids and inhabitants of that place to effect a settlement of certain blood feuds
and other differences which still stand in the way. In the event of his return
to Habban, I gather that Sultan Nasir bin Saleh will still be maintained, and
that there will be very little real change in his position which is now that of a
practical nonentity.
£0. As to the feelings of the Sultans and Sheikhs on the subject of the
lest interests of the port of Balahaf —These are unquestionably in favour of
maintaining the status quo ante and opposed to any alteration to the Kayti.
The Sultan of Bir Ali some years ago parted with certain of his lands to the
Kayti in the valley of Maifa. This has entailed fairly constant friction with
some of the other tribes of the Wahidi country, whose rights were affected by
that transfer, and who from the experience thereby gained are evidently anxious
to avoid further experiences of a similar nature. They are in principle opposed
to any “ selling of the country *’ and they are further obviously afraid of the
result of any further interference in their affairs by a ruler who has already
to their knowledge absorbed a good deal of territory which he did not originally
possess.
21. As to the nature of the shares of Balahaf —Up till about four or five
years ago these simply consisted of customs dues of about a J dollar per package
on ordinary goods and of about 2 lbs. per bag on grain. Practically no terri
torial rights are included. Balahaf is a customs post pure and simple. There
are however over and above the customs dues certain rights to wood and water
from the little fishing village of Jala’a close by, there being no wells at Balahaf
itself. And there are certain rights of salvage of any wrecks that may occur
on the strip of shore in the vicinity and also to any ambergris that may be
thrown up upon the beach. As far as I could ascertain no ambergris ever has
been thrown up. The only other rights are to a share in the stipend and pre
sents given by the British Government.
22. The Sultans all possess certain territorial rights in the interior of the
country in the valley of Maifa and elsewdiere, but they do not possess these as
shareholders of Balahaf, the revenues of which are simply those abovemen-
tioned.
23. About four or five years ago an addition was made to the revenues of
Balahaf, which has slightly complicated affairs owing to a different distribution
being effected to that of the other ordinary customs and also owing to the change
effected in the relative positions of the shareholders.
24. It appears that some time after his expulsion from Habban, Sultan
Mohsin established a right to the collection of certain transit dues at a place
called A1 Hauta, a strong position on the road between Babban and the coast.
Here he charged practically the same dues as those charged at both Balahaf
and Habban, viz.y a J dollar per package and about 2 lbs. per bag of grain.
Collections went on at Balahaf and Habban as before, and Sultan Mohsin
imposed his additional tax at Al Hauta. In course of time the A1 Hauta Sheikh
and various other tribes and parties concerned got tired of this arrangement and
another was effected whereby the Al Hauta collection was transferred to Bala
haf where the dues were accordingly raised or rather doubled.^ During the past
five years therefore the dues of Balahaf have actually consisted of a combina
tion of the original customs dues of the port and of Sultan Mohsin’s transit
dues. And that is what they still consist of.
25. To all intents and purposes, however, the dues may still be termed the
customs dues of Balahaf and any future reduction may, anyhow for some time
to come, be considered improbable. It may be that some day in the future a
reduction to the old rates will be insisted upon, but it seems more probable
that the enhancement effected and now enforced will henceforth indefinitely
continue.
26. Merchants and traders would doubtless welcome a reduction. They
now pay fths of a dollar between the port of Balahaf and Habban, whereas
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