'File 8/43 Persian Gulf Newsletter' [‎217r] (433/570)

!• On the 19th May the United States Aircraft Carrier
"RENDOVA" and the Destroyer * , C.H.ROAN ,, arrived at Sitra,
Bahrain, and calls were exchanged the same morning between
the Commanding Officers of the two ships and His Excellency
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. , His Highness the Ruler of Bahrain,
the Senior Naval Officer, Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , the Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. ,
and the Commanding Officer, H.M.S. "Loch Quoich". In the
afternoon His Highness and a number of his relatives were
entertained to tea on board the "RENDOVA" and shown over the
ship.
2. Shaikh Hamad bin Abdulla, the second son and heir-
apparent of the Ruler of Qatar, died at 12,30 p.m. on the
27th May in the Oil Company’s camp at Dukhan, Qatar, Death
was due to heart failure and toxaemia following an attack
of dysentery.
3. The Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. visited Qatar by P.C.I.. ’plane
on the 28th and conveyed the condolence of His Majesty's
Government and 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. to Shaikh Abdullah
and Shaikh Hamad’s family.
4. On the 24th May, an Avro-Anson aircraft was flown
from Sharjah to Bahrain by Group Captain Fairfield with
one Navigator and 6 passengers. It developed engine
trouble at about half the way and turned back. The pilot
had to crash lend it on a reef. No one was hurt and all
passengers put to sea in a dinghy and were brought into
Bahrain next morning.
5. The pearling season is usually divided into two
parts by the month of Ramadan for which the pearling fleet
returns to Bahrain. This year Ramadan will come to an
end on the 6th August, and as there will be four months
between that date and the cold weather during which pearl
ing operations can be undertaken no pearling is being
carried out before Ramadan.
6 . In Kuwait great improvements are taking place in
the town. Many new buildings are under construction and
a new road from town-square to sea-front is nearing com
pletion. It has also been decided to enlarge Customs and
build new warehouses alongside wharves.
Many Kuwait ocean going sailing boats returned during
the month from India and Pakistan. Those from Zanzibar and
African ports are reported to have left but have not yet
arrived at Muscat - their first port of call.
Weather has been exceptionally hot and dusty during
the last part of May.
The Annual Examination at the Government Schools
began on the 29th May.
7. Mr. Eyers of Imperial Bank of Iran and later Mr.
Findlay of Eastern Bank, arrived in Muscat to negotiate
with Sultan on the possibility of opening a branch of their
respective banks. They left after discussions.
8 . Major Bird, late Indian Political Service The branch of the British Government of India with responsibility for managing political relations between British-ruled India and its surrounding states, and by extension the Gulf, during the period 1937-47. Officer and
now Liaison Officer with Petroleum Concessions Limited arrived
in Muscat.