Coll 30/9 'Persian Gulf: Administration Reports 1926-1938' [‎281r] (566/1028)

ceased to import for him, the work now being done by Muhammad-al-Taw\\ ii
and the payments made from the Hasa Customs. The enormous sum of money
thus tied up with Bin Sa’ud has undoubtedly weakened them, and though their
influence in Bahrain is still very strong they are much more easily handled than
before. Abdullah Qusaibi has permitted himself some most violent remarks
about his Monarch, which will doubtless reach the Royal ears.
81. Messrs. Boucicault and Calder employee^ of the Marconi Company
arrived on the 26th April and paid one or two other visits to Bahrain. I key
had experienced great difficulty with their Najdi personnel, and mentioned ti
incident of a simple private of the line who had been promoted mechanic tor
meritorious behaviour. They_ erected stations at Jubail and Qatii bringing t
number in Bin Sa’ud’s dominions to eighteen.
82. Muhammad-al-Tawil studiously avoided the Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. on his visits to
Bahrain as do almost all Naidi officials, but visited the Hon ble the Political
Resident on one occasion on board a Mail Steamer. Bin Sa’ud had apparen y
tacitly accepted the claim of the Bahrain Government to two per cent, tranship-
ment dues on all cargo passing through Bahrain waters, f0 J',
Tawwil was instructed to pay (3rd September) on a consignment of 12,000 ba ? s
of rice and 600 bags of sugar that came through for the mainland, but later m
conjunction with Muhammad-al-Marzuk of Karachi he . wrwiged f or tire
<< Ahmedi ” to take some 20,000 bags of rice direct to the mainland. The Bain am
Government declined to allow this steamer to land Bahrain cargo, which was
overcarried to the mainland. Tawwil, with an eye no doubt to futuie ship
ments allowed it to be stored free and brought back to Bahrain without paymen
of any duty, and is said to have erected a Customs shed, at Ras lanaurah, and
to have offered merchants-free transhipments should they bring other consign
ments there.
83. Bahrain is a Naboth’s vineyard for the King of Sa’udi Arabia.
cm n n f n r 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. paid several visits to Qatar, two being in
connetiio^h an emergency aerodrome near Dohah. The Shaikh had agreed
to this subiect to being granted an additional measure of protection, but v mn
his wish was acceded to he then produced other reasons for being unable to gian
85 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. successfully closed the cases which had caused
trouble with the Shaikh at the end of the proceeding year, and pleasant relatio
with the Shaikh were restored.
86 Slavery Twenty slaves were manumitted during the year, emp oy-
ment being fouud for some in the Bahrain Poliee. Nothmg of interest occurred
in this connection during the year.
87 Climate-The rainfall amounted to 2.70 inches, the year being some
what cooler than its predecessor. The most striking features were an excep
tionally calm January and autumn, the latter being very favourable to the
i* 0. del ci •
' 88. General—The year ended with a more c ^“^mmenP
of February, concluded the year m a stronger position than taey Lave
enjoyed, despite their financial difficulties.
on rm.p ™„ r has on the whole been more satisfactory than 1931, and the
His Maiestv’s Government and deserves well ol them.
G. LOCH,
Lieut.-Colonel,
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. , Bahrain.