'Persian Gulf Gazetteer, Part I Historical and Political Materials, Précis of Bahrein [Bahrain] Affairs, 1854-1904' [‎127] (154/204)

127
The Director-General, Indian Medical Service, who was asked to furnish an
estimate of the annual cost of the Medical Officer, establishment and contin
gencies, recommended the appointment of a Muhammadan Civil Assistant
Surgeon—preferably a Punjabi—as a European Military Assistant Surgeon could
not be spared for foreign service, and also considered the appointment of a
Hospital Assistant absolutely necessary. It was estimated that the initial outlay,
excluding all buildings and furniture, would be Rs. 1,500, and the total recurring
expenditure about Rs. 4,000 to Rs. 5,000 annually. The department noted
that as our officers and establishments were sufficiently looked after by the
Arabian Medical Mission, it was considered doubtful whether there would be any
advantage in spending Rs. 400 a month on a hospital establishment of our own,
even if the building was provided by public subscription.
Lord Curzon noted :—
I should be inclined to put theand rcw again before Colonel Kemball, and say
tliat, as at present advised, we do not quite see what political advantage would ensue from
the appointment of«a Muhammadan Assistant Surgeon sufficient to justify the outlay that
will be incurred.
27 -1 -02. C [urzon].
456-A. Colonel Kemball, who was asked to give a furthor opinion in the matter,
as it was not clear what political advantages would ensue from the appointment of
a Muhammadan Assistant Surgeon sufficient to justify the outlay that would be
incurred, stated that there was, in his opinion, no doubt that a charitable dis
pensary at Bahrein would be appreciated by the people, and did not consider it
of much importance whether a European or Muhammadan Assistant Surgeon
was placed in charge. The department noted that as Colonel Kemball did not
support the proposal very strongly, the Government of India might undertake
to incur an expenditure of Rs. 3,650 a year, provided that additional subscrip
tions were forthcoming sufficient to build a suitable hospital with quarters for the
staff as proposed by Mr. Gaskin, and suggested that the Finance Department
might be asked to agree to the Resident being addressed to this effect.
Lo rd Curz on noted :—
1 think we may perhaps go as far as this ; though I am a little sceptical as to the
fructifying of the scheme.
456-8. From the recent reports it appears that the movement has met with
considerable success, as much as Rs. 14.630 having been collected and Rs. 400
more promised (see Major Cox's letter No. 246, dated 6th August I904).
The Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. submitted in August last plans and estimates (the latter
amounting to Rs. 15,000), which have been sanctioned by Government (Foreign
Department letter No. 28^-K. A., dated 6th September 1904).
456-C. As regards the retention of the doctor attached to the Arabian
Mission for attendance on the Political
External a , July 1903, Nos. 36— 37- Agent and his establishment, though it
was contemplated that it should cease with the opening of the new hospital,
Government have resolved to continue the arrangement in view of the good
work done by the Mission (Foreign Department letter No. 1372-E., dated 25th
June 1903).
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