'Reports of administration for 1918 of divisions and districts of the occupied territories in Mesopotamia. Volume I' [‎133r] (270/470)

as to mee u y the needs of the people. This will throw no charge on municipal
funds. Am emcient scheme of sanitation, with the erection of destructors and
provision of carriage, will be a costly matter, involving increase of taxation. The
provision and maintenance of metalled roads is an equally urgent matter with
similar financial results. The improvement of the town generally, the broadening
of streets, demolition of dangerous houses, clearance of unsanitary areas, erection
of municipal markets, improvement and extension of waterways and bridges and
many other projects of pressing need will likewise make heavy demand on the civil
purse. Taxation is, however, not now heavy. The house tax of 10 per cent, of
the assessed rent is lenient in that, in our wish to prevent rack-renting, we have
assessed our figures on a scale far below the actual rates obtaining, thus designedly
sacrificing a very considerable increment to revenue. The conditions which made
this action advisable, and which led to the introduction of the Restriction of Rent
Regulation (which prevents a suit for rent in excess of assessed rent) are now tending
to disappear with the repatriation of the refugees to Baghdad, and the municipality
will be in a position at the beginning of the new financial year to levy its house tax
on the market rent value. What increase on the percentage levied and what other
modifications in the existing scheme of taxation should be provided for are matters
for future decision. Heads of income are shown in Appendices A. and B. in the
Municipal Commissioner’s report attached.
Works. —The Deputy Assistant Director of Works (Civil) carried out 26 major
works, i. e., works of Rs. 5,000/— and over, at a cost of Rs. 6,50,000/— during the year,
and over 400 minor works at a cost of Rs. 1,60,000/-. He worked against great
difficulty, army demand on labour and materials causing the starvation of the
Civil Works Department in these respects. It has been impossible to proceed with
the many urgent schemes of improvement which are continually put forward, and
municipal work has been a long series of disappointments to those who have had
the welfare of the town at heart. And, further, it has been impossible to demonstrate
to the people of Basrah the anxiety and ability of its British guardians to administer
their affairs in the terms of their profession, thus losing much in political influence.
Nevertheless much has been accomplished in petty works in the face of what often
seemed insurmountable obstacles.
Extracts from Report by the. Municipal Commissioner :—
Municipal Improvements. —Several schemes for the improvement of the towns
of ‘Aahar and Basrah have been worked out and are now ready for sanction.
Sarai Road, Basrah. —The first is the widening of the road through the Sarai
(Basrah). This work comes under the head of military necessity, the object being
to create a means whereby the fire-engine can get from its headquarters to Basrah
City. An extension of this scheme provides for the widening of the road from the
Serai onwards to Ottoman Bank Square. This extension has been voted by the
Municipal Council as a work of primary importance and the necessary details in
connection with compensation, &c. are being taken in hand.
Baluch Street.—The next scheme is “ the Baluch Street Improvement Scheme.”
This scheme has been completed in all its details and now only awaits the sanction
of higher authority for execution. It provides for widening the road between
Baghdad Road and Baluch Street, and, when given effect to, will be a very great
improvement.
Baghdad Bridge. —The present Baghdad Bridge is merely a temporary structure.
Mr. Meer recently offered £1,000 for the construction of a new bridge and plans
have been drawn up. This scheme involves the widening of both approaches to
the bridge and it is gratifying to be able to state that, for this purpose, Mr. Yarri
of Messrs. E. D. Sasun, has made a gift to the municipality of a portion of the firm’s
property involved in The scheme; and has promised to use his influence with the
firm’s directors to bring about the presentation of a further piece of land involved,
which it is anticipated will shortly be bought up by Sasun Brothers.
It might here be mentioned that, for the most part, the leading people are quick
to appreciate the great advantages which will accrue to themselves through municipal
improvements of this nature.
Club Road Improvement Scheme. —A scheme is in hand for the improvement of
the road from Y.M.C.A. palm gardens past the Basrah Club, on to Qazarah,