Coll 30/9 'Persian Gulf: Administration Reports 1926-1938' [‎319r] (642/1028)

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trade of Bahrain would have come to a standstill. This surprising demand from
India is thought to be due to money that could not be spent on better class textiles
owing to the boycott being expended in pearls. Another view is that pearls
are an essential part of certain religious ceremonies among Hindus, and still an
other view, that in a world of fluctuating values some felt pearls were a good in
vestment.
Both catch and prices were poor, though prices did not fall below the very
low figures of the preceding year. Next year, there is little doubt that many
fewer boats will set out for there is no longer the capital to finance them. It is
estimated that two-thirds of the pearling capital in Bahrain has disappeared into
the sea in the last three years, and men who had a capital of ten or fifteen lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees
have nothing left except pearls for which there are no purchasers.
Bad though the state of trade is in Bahrain there is some comfort
to be found in the reflection that our neighbours are worse off, for Qatif and
Qatar are to all intents and purposes ruined. A cause of the comparative
prosperity of Bahrain is to be found in the fact that Gulf capitalists have steadily
been moving their capital over and establishing their headquarters here for
some years past. This is true both of the Arab and Persian coasts, and is a
great tribute to the administration of Bahrain. There is little doubt that its good
order, security, bank, wireless and shipping facilities act as lodestones, and both
Nejdi and Persian merchants and shaikhs have been moving their valuables to its
gilt-edged shores.
The total value of the trade amounted to Bs. 1,71,20,220 as compared with
Bs. 2,53,00,480 during the preceding year. The total value of imports amounted
to Bs. 1,04,61,880 as against Bs. 1,60,37,490 the preceding year. The exports
amounted to Bs. 66,58,340 as against Bs. 9,26,29,990 for the preceding year. The
figures of export are not accurate since few of the pearls exported are declared at
their proper value if declared at all.
Pearling Industry .—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 a visit to the pearl banks in the
S. L. “ John Lambert ”, and boarded a number of Bahrain vessels. He took
fresh limes and some simple medicines with him and was very well received by the
nakhudas. Two divers were brought back for medical treatment, one being
in the last stages of tuberculosis.
Industry.—It is pleasant to have to record the birth of a new industry in
Bahrain. Khalil Kanoo, and one Faik Adham, a Syrian, entered into a partner
ship to produce tiles and were given a monopoly for two years to encourage them.
They have produced some 70,000 of excellent quality and fully equal to the best
that Basra produces but lave found some difficulty in disposing of them. The
partnership las broken up, Faik Adham describing his late partner as “ a friendly
thief”. If times were normal they would have done very well.
Athletics .— There has been a marked interest in football during the past year
and 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. took a team to Basra for three days.
Boat Building and SUypiug.—IBe total number of motor launches plying for
hire on 31st December was 53. Of these 5 were built during the year.
Thirty-two Sailing vessels were built in Bahrain during the year as compared
with 55 built the preceding year.
One hundred and sixteen British Ships, 10 German and 1 Norwegian entered
and cleared the Port of Bahrain as compared with 123 British ships and
11 German ships that called during the preceding year.
Early in November the British India Steam Navigation Company decided
to allow their down steamers to make a weekly call at Bahrain instead of fortnightly.
This has been a welcome change and is much appreciated by the local mercantile *
community.
Seven accidents took place at sea, within Port limits, during the year and m
three cases loss of life occurred, once when a coolie A term used to describe labourers from a number of Asian countries, now considered derogatory. was killed while cargo was being
discharged from the s. s. “ Bankura ” on the 19th April, and on two other occasions
when men were swept overboard and drowned, one of these accidents occurring
on a landing company’s lighter. The Landing Company have worked at a loss
throughout the year and have had several boats badly damaged in the heavy
storms at the close of the year.
MC392FD