Coll 30/9 'Persian Gulf: Administration Reports 1926-1938' [‎405r] (814/1028)

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. 1 S , ha S h Ib 1 r , ah ^ b ,™ Khalicl was convicted of instigating the attempt on
Shaikh Hamad s life three years ago, but Shaikh Hamad Inriouslv took no
to hve iHth himat Sakhir 8101 ' " ' V ° Uld ' be aSSasiu Sh01 ' tl >’ af terward S went
Shaikh Hamad bin Abdullah al Ghattam was convicted of instigating and
being present at the attack on Farsia in which two of his tenants were murdered.
He was made to pay Rs. 7,500, blood money.
Shaikh Hamad bin Sub ah was convicted of having instigated the murderous
attack on his tenants m the village of Tubli, and was sentenced to pay two blood
monies, or 1,600 dollars- He was also deprived of his post of President of the
Commercial Court.
These trials cannot fail to have an excellent effect as they constitute the first
occasion on which any of the Al-Khalifah have had their crimes brought home to
them. The Bahrain Court, as the instrument of justice has had its prestige im
measurably enhanced. Shallh Abdullah bin Isa was most useful during the trials
and the results were largely due to his efforts.
Oil Concession- The concession is still under consideration, and no further
operations were conducted this year.
Very few artesian wells have been sunk this year, and as a result of some
pressure on the part of 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. , haphazard sinking of wells has
ceased. A great deal of water is being wasted, and it is the opinion of Colonel
Taylor, C.R.E., Iracj^ Command, that if the number of wells j.s greatly increased
the head of water will fail, and the wells will not run. Indeed, some wells have
already run dry, 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. is attempting to interest Shaikh Hamad
m the matter. He is very loth to take action, however, and prefers to allow a
relatives well to create a dangerous march rather than check him.
On the 29th September, certain Shaikhs arrived from Sharqiah in Oman to
buy some well boring equipment from Kanoo, as their country is drying up.
They could have seen similar plant and bought it more cheaply in India, but had
to see their brother Arabs using them to be convinced.
Municipalities .—The two Municipalities continue to do useful work,
Muharraq because of and Manama in spite of, their Presidents. The Muharraq
Baladayah surprised Shaikh Abdullah by passing a resolution pulling down 12 of
his shops and putting it into execution while he was away hunting on the main
land. No compensation was prescribed, and it was simply done to benefit two
members who had shops on the other side of the road and wished widen it.
Some distilleries were raided in Muharraq and the owners prosecuted.
Shaikh Abdullah’s son entered his father’s Majlis the worse for drink and was
thrashed for it by his father.
The Muharraq Baladiyah completed their sea road which was formally
opened by the Hon’ble Lt.-Colonel H. V. Biscoe, on the 12th December. The
cost of this work is about 40,000.
The Manama Baladiyah advanced Shaikh Hamad the money to build a new
fish market, a great improvement on the insanitary huts which preceded it. This
market is worth 3001- a month, and Shaikh Hamad has given it to his spoilted
son Daij, aged 14.
_ On the night of the 718th May a serious fire broke out near the Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. . 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. proceeded to the scene, and with the assistance of the Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent.
guard formed a line of buckets, and after some difficulty got it under, but not
before a woman was burnt to death. No firefighting appliances except bells
then existed, but the Municipality have since bought some Minimax extin
guishers.
Public Works .—The Shiah school was completed, and the Manama-Muhar-
raq Couseway commenced. The re-roofing of the Imoort shed was comnleted,
and in September Messrs. Callenders commenced work on the Electric Supply
Scheme.
Education .—On the 15th March the Manama Shiah school was opened, and
a Boys school in Hedd and a new Girls school in Manama have been opened.
The despatch of 7 bovs to Beirut University at entirely disproportionate cost of
one third of the total education budget has not proved a great success and is
probable that some will not be kept on there. The boys were not selected for in
tellectual attainments, and are far too backward to benefit by University train
ing.
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