TALE OF A CITY 22 informed me that they had been sent by the Shaikh to work at As.12 p.d. . After about 2 hours, these men struck, saying they would not work for less than Rs.1/- p.d. I ascertained from one of the coolies that they had been sent by Hussain and not by the Shaikh. On the 18th I realised that something must be done, and that if Issa could not help me, I must help myself, so I went to the Shaikh with Natha Singh and explained the urgency to him and requested his help. He at once sent 24 men who were put to work. On the 19th I enquired from the Tindal at what rate the new men were to be paid by the Shaikh, since, at this time, I assumed that all payment would be made by the Shaikh and I had merely to approve as «fair and reasonable». I was told Rs.1/- p. d. 8. That evening the Shiakh came to the site to see the work and I told him that I knew the bazaar rate was below Annas 8, and that I could not approve such gross over-payments. He replied that he did not know what the coolies were being paid, Issa was arranging all that, a rate of Rs. 1/- p.d. was far too high and would I get Issa to reduce the rate, as he (the Shaikh) would have to pay whatever Issa said. I therefore, saw Issa that night and told him I would not sanction any advance to the Shaik if the coolies rate was not reduced to Annas 12 p.d. He replied it would be impossible to get men on such a rate, that he would not be responsible if the work suffered in consequence and reiterated that labour would not be satisfactory until after the pearling fleet returned. I then asked about the sum of Rs 10,000/- 1eft with Issa to be advanced to the Shaikh on my recommendation. I was told that over Rs. 6,000/- had been spent by Issa on the work and none advanced to the Shaikh. I at once requested details and an explanation of the payments had been made without my knowledge. Issa told me that he had spent the money so as to facilitate the work by buying materials and that he would produce an account. 9. It was now clear to ne that - i. the Shaikh had no control over, or knowledge of the funds which the Government were entrusting to Issa to advance to him on my recommendation; ii. Issa had spent sums from these advances without authority iii. Issa was forcing up the price of labour. The reason for the latter soon transpired. Indian merchants told Natha Singh and an Arab merchant told me that Issa wished to delay the work
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