"تقرير الإدارة عن المقيمية السياسية في الخليج الفارسي للأعوام ١٩١٥-١٩١٩" [و‎‎٣‎١] (٣٩٦/٦٨)

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FOU THE TEAR 1915. 51
chapter xi.
ADMINISTRATION EEPORT FOE THE KUWAIT POLITICAL
AGENCY EOE THE YEAE 1915.
The year 1915 has shewn, on the whole, a slight improvement in economic
General . conditions in Kuwait. The general rise
in prices, which came soon after the out
break of war in 1914, has subsided to a large extent, and the only articles of
which the prices still remain excessive are those which were formerly imported
from Austria or Germany. The port has been wel] served by steamers of the
British India Company throughout the greater part of the year notwithstanding
the occasional appropriation of Company's vessels for Government work, and
this fact has assisted to keep prices fairly low. Pearling prospects have
brightened; but the rainfall was 2 inches 11 cents only in 1915 and grazino-
was therefore poor which reduced the condition of all live stock.
The acquisition of ground along the sea shore to the East and West of the
town has continued, particularly to the East, and building operations have
commenced in some of the plots acquired.
The local Customs have remained during tne year under the same manage-
Customg ment as in 1914j and the arrangements
have continued to be excellent, no com
plaints having been made which would lead to a suspicion of dishonesty on the
part of the Superintendent. In July, Shaikh Sir Mubarak announced his desire
to hand oyer the Customs Administration to His Majesty's Government as a
proof of his confidence in them which might induce other Arab rulers in the
Persian Gulf to follow his example; the question, with other matters,
was referred by the Eesident for the consideration of the Government of India!
Sir Mubarak's death, of which mention is made later in this report, has however
caused the question to be shelved for the present.
Some delay has unfortunately occurred in connection with the water
Water-supply. condensing plant which is to be erected
by the Anglo-Persian Oil Company,
owing to difficulty in effecting shipment of metals, etc., from England during
the war. News has How arrived of the shipments having been made, and the
Company have undertaken to have the plant in working order before the com
mencement of the hot weather, which latter is naturally the season in which
most trouble occurs on account of scarcity of drinking water.
The long hoped for Kuwait Post Office was opened in January 1915 and
Posts and Telegraphs. ' j 8 of 1 ^ uc . h advantage to the community.
Irregularity in mail arrangements with
Basrah and certain Gulf Ports has caused difficulty at times owing to the
suspension of subsidiary steamers, but as regards communication with India
and Europe, etc., Kuwait has fared fairly well owing to the proximity of Eao
and the constant journeys of water boats to and from the Shatt^ el-Arab.
Wireless telegraph buildings are being erected, but it is not yet known
when they will be utilised as no plant is at present available for Kuwait.
The anniversary of the birthday of His Majesty the King-Emperor was
Celebrations n0 ^ celebrated in Kuwait this year owins:
to the war. The usual visits were paid
by the Political Agent on the Muhammadan feast days.
The number of boats despatched to the pearl banks fell from 800 or 900
Pearl Fishery. ^ 300 during 1915. This was due prin
cipally to the depression in the trade
caused by lack of sale in Europe and consequent lack of funds for expendi
ture. The catch was therefore small in extent and sale prospects were bad
at first, but towards the end of the year they improved, and numbers of