"تقارير إدارية ١٩٢٠-١٩٢٤" [ظ‎‎٤‎٣] (٤١٢/٩١)

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administration report of the
camels was secured by Saud. Another force employed during the same
operation, however, received a considerable set-back.
In the third case of Koweit, there was fighting at Safah and Jahrah where
the Akhwan under Eaisal-ad-Dawish had some initial success, but eventually
lost heavily and retired on being warned by Government by means of a com
munique dropped from an aeroplane that any attack or advance on Koweit
would be opposed by British forces. The dispute was then submitted to Gov
ernment for arbitration and the High Commissioner invited Bin Saud to meet
Sheikh Salim at Basrah, but Bin Saud could not come owing to ill-health, so
the question had to stand over till a more favourable opportunity should
occur.
One of Bin Saud's requests made during the year was for a permanant
doctor for Riyadh where there is none except an Arab of Mosul by name
Abdullah Effendi who came out from Constantinople a few years ago but is not
regarded as an efficient medical man. Attempts were made through the Civil
Commissioner, Baghdad, to send a suitable Muslim doctor but none could be
found and Bin Saud had to content himself with the American Mission doctor's
visit. The latter though much resorted to for medical assistance had con
tinually to run the gauntlet of unpleasant epithets such as " Kafir," etc., and
a frequent show of discourtesy from the mass of the Akhwan, so that the post
for a permanant doctor would be no sinecure.
Bin Saud has expressed a desire to improve the port of Ojair by building a
wharf and a beacon and to arrange for fortnightly calls of the British India
Steam Navigation Company's steamers in order to faciliate the import of goods
from India direct, as at present Hassa and Nejd depend for their imports on
Bahrain and Koweit. It remains to be decided, after a survey as to which of
the ports of Ojair, Juball and Qatif is the more suitable for cargo steamers to
visit. The approaches to these ports are very shallow so that even small craft
have to lie off 7 or 8 miles.
Bin Saud has been granted a special aid or gift of ,£5,000 and the insignia
of G.C.I.E., as a token of His Majesty's Government's appreciation of his
friendship and loyalty.
VI.—Epidemic and Quarantine.
Dr. G. K. Monani, Medical Officer, Victoria Memorial Hospital, has
carried on the duties of the Quarantine Medical Officer throughout the year.
In December 1920 His Excellency the Sheikh engaged Dr. Maulvi Abdur
Razzaq Naqshbandi, L. M. & S., for the quarantine work but formal charge
was not taken by him till after the close of the year.
The Islands remained free from epidemic diseases of any kind. Epidemic
plague which used to recur every alternate year since 1907 has not made its
appearance for the last three years.
VII.—Hassa and Qatif.
The Hassa-Riyadh trade route was completely safe throughout the year.
VIII.—Q atar.
Lieutenant-Colonel A. P. Trevor, C.S.L, C.I.E., visited Qatar on 29th
April. He was accompanied by Major Dickson, the Political Agent.
Colonel Trevor presented Sheikh Abdullah bin Jasim al-Thani with the
insignia of C.I.E., on the Durbar Deck of R.I.M.S. Lawrence il.
As Sheikh Abdullah left the ship the newly sanctioned salute of 7 guns
was fired.
IX.—Local Officials and Majlis-al-Urfi.
Qazi. —Sheikh Qasim bin Mehza has held the office of Sunni Qazi and has
decided a large number of cases sent to him during the year with justice and
despatch. He continues to enjoy the confidence of tho people and regard of
Sheikh Isa.