Coll 30/9 'Persian Gulf: Administration Reports 1926-1938' [‎474v] (953/1028)

In March owing to the claims to sovereignty advanced by the Persian
Government, Shaikh Isa on behalf of himself and his islands gave His
Majesty’s Government authority to represent the Bahrain State, in rebut
ting Persian pretensions, before the League of Nations.
The relations between the Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. and Shaikh Hamad, the Deputy
Holier have continued to be very cordial.
Shaikh Abdullah bin Isa has been of great assistance to the Bahrain
Government, He is particularly interested in education and to his initia
tive is due the entry of 7 Bahrain boys including one of his own sons and
p, son of his brother Mahomed at the American University of Beirut in
October of this year, He has also continued to interest himself in the
affairs of the Muharraq Municipality. He paid his customary visits to
the main land for hawking.
Shaikh Mahomed bin Isa visited Labanon during the hot weather and
went to Lingah for a hawking expedition during November. He was still
absent at the end of the year.
Shaikh Sulaiman bin Hamad continued to perform his duties as Joint
Magistrate and Judge of the Bahrain Court in a satisfa'ctory manner, while
other members of the Al-Khalifa family have been employed in appoint
ments of lesser importance.
Bahrain State. —Mr. C. D. Belgrave went to England on leave at the
beginning of May and returned at the end of October. During his absence
the duties of Adviser to Shaikh Hamad were performed by Captain L. S.
[Parke.
The Ruler of Kuwait visited Bahrain by aeroplane on 31st August and
returned to his State the next day. There has been a continual succession
of Shaikhs from the Arab and Persian shores of the Gnlf and from Muscat
all anxious to enjoy Shaikh Hamad’s hospitality.
The relations between Sunnis and Shias have been satisfactory through
out the year.
In November Saiyid Adnan the Shiah Qadhi died. His post remain
ed vacant till the end of the year, owing to difficulty in finding a suitable
successor, acceptable to the two Shiah factions.
The revival in an active form of the Persian claims to Bahrain has
caused a considerable amount of discussion and there has undoubtedly been
some Persian propaganda. There has however been no excitement. The
Persian inhabitants although they would naturally welcome the inclusion
of Bahrain in their Empire have remained quiet while the rest of the people
have no desire to exchange the easy conditions under which they live for
the rapacity of Persian Governors or the high taxation of the Persian
State.
During the early part of the year three geologists employed by the
Eastern and General Syndicate made extensive surveys of the island, but
no further progress in the gaining of oil is to be reported.
Messrs. Khalil Kanoo and Mahomed \ ateem have carried out several
borings for water, with the result that the number of wells sunk is now 55
and Manama and Muharraq islands are very well supplied with water both
for drinking and for irrigation purposes. ~ The strength of the gush at
Barbar in Mahomed Yateem’s own garden is particularly remarkable. This
gentleman has been experimenting in the growing of vegetables.
Shaikh Hamad is causing a tube well to be sunk on Umm A1 Nasan
island, on which he has released some deer.
A new Court for the trial of Diving cases was instituted during the
year. It consists of four leading personages connected with the pearl trade
who give their services free. The other State Courts remained unchanged.
An increase in litigation due to greater faith in the justice of the Courts
is reported.
Municipalities .—The Municipalities at Manama and Muharraq con
tinued to do excellent work throughout the year. A large and sanitary