Coll 30/9 'Persian Gulf: Administration Reports 1926-1938' [‎367v] (739/1028)

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The introduction of an electric light plant and an ice factory An East India Company trading post. sufficient for the
needs of the city is now being discussed. It is hoped something may result some
day though here again 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. beyond giving advice, is not pushing the
matter.
(e) Abolition of the Arab Cloak or “ Abbah.” —A curious and not so popular a
reform was the sudden decision of the Ruler to give, up wearing the “ Abhah ”. ^
This took place in November and was intended primarily to assist the poorer
classes of the town. The “ Abbah ” is an expensive garment and it was considered
that a man would be greatly helped financially, if he could dispense with it and not
feel disgraced. In deference to public opinion the Shaikh decreed that though he
himself would no longer wear the garment, no one was to consider this dress re
form as an “ order Things therefore remain much the same as before.
(/) The Eastern and General Oil Syndicate, Limited. —Major F. Holmes of the
above Syndicate arrived in Kuwait on 4th August and informed the Political
Agent that the object of his visit was firstly to arrive at a settlement with the
Shaikh in matters dealing with the Syndicate’s water boring contract, and secondly
to renew negotitions for an oil concession covering the whole of Kuwait territory.
On receipt of this communication, both Major Holmes and the Shaikh were remind
ed of His Majesty’s Government’s wishes that any company or corporation to whom
an oil concession was given, must be a wholly British concern. Major Holmes
left for the United Kingdom on the 20th August via ’Iraq. He was followed
by his expert borer Mr. G. H. Armstrong on the 29th August.
Major Holmes stated before he left that he hoped to arrange things to the
satisfaction of His Majesty’s Government when he got to London, though he admit-
ed to 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. that the Company behind his syndicate, namely the Ame
rican “ Gulf ” group headed by Mr. Mellon, would be disappointed at the turn of
events.
That oil exists in Kuwait is certain, for 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. has found and
examined two places in the desert where the mineral comes up in a slow ooze and
looses itself in the sand, but whether it is in workable quantities, remains for experts
to decide.
{g) Motor Launch Building. —This is the one industry that to-day is in flou
rishing condition, Some 10 large motor dhows for “ Yawash ” purposes have been
built during the year, and as many more smaller sea going launches. Kelvin
engines were mostly used in the above. His Excellency the Shaikh has supported
the industry by ordering for himself a large dhow A term adopted by British officials to refer to local sailing vessels in the western Indian Ocean. designed on European yacht
lines. It is to be engined by Messrs. Thorneycroft, Limited, who are under order
to send a 100 horse power 6 cylinder engine (oil or petrol) costing £900.
The yacht is 65 feet long and has 3 cabins and is entirely decked in. Though
the boat industry generally is flourishing as regards numbers of craft on the stocks,
prices are far below average, and a good 50 feet dhow A term adopted by British officials to refer to local sailing vessels in the western Indian Ocean. of any design can be purchas
ed for Rs. 2,000 brand new (excluding masts, etc.).
(A) The Civil Disobedience Campaign in India, and its effects in Kuwait.—
The development of the civil disobedience movement has aroused much comment
from time to time among better class Arabs of Kuwait.
Those holding pro British views consisting of the Ruler and leading mer
chants of the town have expressed astonishment and surprise, that the Government
of India have not dealt more sternly with agitators.
Anti British opinion on the other hand perhaps the more vociferous, has
not tired of quoting government’s inactivity as an instance of England’s growing
inability to rule Eastern Nations. Comment became so open at one time, that
the Ruler in May was constrained to rebuke certain persons in open Majiliss or
Durbar A public or private audience held by a high-ranking British colonial representative (e.g. Viceroy, Governor-General, or member of the British royal family). . He particularly dealt with those wdio went about spreading the story
that the British would shortly be driven out of India, and that ’Iraq and Arab
states generally would do well not to be behind hand.
{i) Drug Store. — In June a praiseworthy attempt was made to start a proper
chemist shop in Kuwait under the auspices of Seyed Hamid Beg al-Naqib, Basrah,
deputy in the Iraq Parliament. For this purpose Dr. Puran Singh of Basrah,
a well known and popular Indian practitioner was sent down from Basrah. After
arranging all details, the matter unfortunately fell through for lack of mone}.