File 4613/1919 Pt 8 'MESOPOTAMIA: ADMINISTRATION: LAND ACQUISITION OF LAND AT MAGIL: INCIDENCE OF COST' [‎82v] (166/192)

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(^) (i) The result of an examination of the values ascertained from the
actual sales within our cognizance are as follows :
For ist Class For Second Class. For Third Class.
By 3 {b) (I)
By 3 (*) (2)
By 3 (*) ( 3 )
By 3 (*) ( 4 )
By 3 to (6)
Do.
Total
2,500
1,800
1,500
...
1:373
...
...
1,167
...
i,6oo
• • •
...
2,200
i,8oo
1,400
1,920
1,500
1,200
8,220
7,640
4:100
2055
1528
1366
Average
(2) Taking these average rates as representing 20 years purchase w T e find
that the annual value of the lands ot each class to the owners are as
follows;—
(0
(2)
( 3 )
Rs.
103
76
68
This estimate does not differ very materially from the results finally arrived
at in (c) (6) above, and I should feel inclined to fix the rates as follows :—
Per acre.
ist Class land [i.e. land which is both good date land and is known to
have had a speculative value before the war) ... ... 2,200
2nd Class land [i.e. good date land)
3rd Class land (moderate date lands) ...
4th Class land (hitherto undeveloped desert)
1,700
1,400
3 00
{e) I have not so far discussed or justified the estimate above arrived at for
undeveloped desert land. Much of it (the greater part of it) would in normal
circumstances have remained undeveloped for many years to come and when
planted would take some 8 years before it could be classed as 3rd class date
land. We may I think safely conclude that such land would return no profits
for the next 12 or 15 years and would then begin to yield say Rs. 70 per annum
per acre to the landlord. Its purchase value would then be 7oX2o=Rs. 1,400
or thereabouts of which some Rs. 500 or 600 would cover the 8 or 5 years
remaining of the 20 years period calculated from the present time and against
this we have to set the capital which would have to be sunk in developing it.
Prior to the occupation such land could have been purchased for ^5 ^ IO an
gcre and my estimate of ^20 errs if at all on the side of generosity. Never