- 53 -First, in each province, a "Mohamed and Sheikhs" committee was established, headed by the Governor or his deputy. Its members included an official from the Ministry of Interior, a member from the Public Prosecution, and four Omdehs or notables. These four were elected by the Omdehs of the district. These committees dealt with all matters related to traffic and disputes, such as "Zalt" (likely a type of offense or disturbance), punishment, and similar issues. They met once every two months and had the authority to impose fines not exceeding 600 qirsh saigh or imprisonment for up to three months on their people for their jobs or for certain other offenses.

Second, in each province, a committee for canals and bridges was established to deal with cases of violating the laws enacted for them. Its head was the Governor, and its members were the province's engineer and three notables appointed by the Minister of Interior. They had the authority to sentence to imprisonment from 24 hours to two months, impose fines, and compel those who damaged bridges, etc., to repair them. Their judgments could be appealed to the Council only, and then to a special committee that sat in the Ministry of Interior.

Third, in each district, a committee for Nile bridges was established to protect them and punish all those who neglected the dredging of Nile bridges and did not come to their posts when summoned, or who committed an offense and did not perform their duties. The head of this committee was the district commissioner or his deputy, and its members were four Omdehs elected by the Omdehs of that district. They had the authority to sentence to imprisonment from five days to three months and to fines from 20 qirsh saigh to 100 qirsh saigh. Their judgments could be appealed to another committee composed of the Governor and the Omdehs.

Fourth, when the flood level reached 24 cubits according to Egyptian measurement, a committee for Nile bridges and floods was formed in each province. Its head was the Governor, and its members were two Omdehs, the district commissioner, and the province's engineer or his deputy. They had the authority to impose fines from 1000 to 100 qirsh saigh and imprisonment from 20 days to three months. Their judgments could be appealed to a special committee that sat in the Ministry of Interior under the presidency of the Minister.

Committees for Arab Omdehs and their Sheikhs were also established, which I referred to in my last dispatch (page 101). Their composition and descriptions were not significantly different from the Omdeh and Sheikhs committees mentioned above.

If locusts attacked the crops, committees were established for them.

From the above, it can be inferred that several of these committees were intended solely for the administration of justice.