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GIOVANNI MARITI
Travels in the Island of Cyprus
page 36 View PDF version of this page Larnaca formerly was much straitened for want of good water, the old conduits of Citium were ruinous and never repaired. But now, as I said in my account of Salines, since the water of Arpera has been brought to various fountains in the town by new aqueducts, it is most excellent.
Larnaca is governed by a Digdaban or Commissioner, appointed by the Governor of the island, after whom he is next in rank. His officers are the Sirdar, or captain of police, with the Su-bashi or corporals, and a very small personal staff. Here is the Court of Justice, the seat of the Qazi and Khoja-bashi, persons of good life and advanced age, whose advice is loyally received and followed. Their court can give no final decision except in matters of small moment. In grave cases a statement is drawn up and sent to the Supreme Court at Nicosia, which issues its judgment thereon.
Three hours after sunset every night a patrol of several men called Qol-aghas starts from the Digdaban's house, to prevent disorders in the town. Everyone found abroad after that hour without a light or lantern is arrested, but natives are lodged in the public prison, Europeans in the houses of their several consuls. If there is no other charge against them they are released on giving a gratuity to the guard.
In the town of Larnaca and the island generally there are colonies of six European nations, England, France, Naples, Tuscany, Venice and Ragusa, with their several consuls, except that Tuscan subjects are under the protection of the English consul, as Tuscan vice-consul. There used to be also Austrians, Danes, Swedes, Dutch and Genoese, who came recommended to one of the consuls above named, but it is a long while since they did any business there in person, their commissions being now addressed to business houses of other nationalities already established there.
Outside the town there are found in all directions under-ground large cisterns lined with so durable a glaze that they are still fit to hold oil ; they were made, it is said, for this very purpose, when the island abounded in this product.. It is
32 Of the City of Larnaca [CH.
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