"تقارير إدارية ١٩٣١-١٩٣٥" [ظ‎‎١‎١‎٤] (٤١٦/٢٢٨)

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(ii) Muhammad Tawil paid a visit of courtesy to the Political Agent, but
no business was discussed.
(ni) The events in ’Asir have been watched with interest, hut there seems
to he a general feeling that an outbreak of war “ between Arabs ” would be
most unfortunate.
26. Qatar.—(i) The Political Agent visited Qatar in H. M. S. “ Fowey ” i n
June. The visit was purely of a private nature designed to renew an old
friendship and no business was discussed. The opportunity was, however,
taken of bringing home to the Shaikh (who had refused the Anglo-Persian Oil
Company, Limited, permission to use a wireless set) the uses of wireless tele
graphy,'by arranging for him to listen to his own message of congratulation
to His Excellency Shaikh Hamad bin Tsa A1 Khalifah on the birth of a grand
son being transmitted, and for the reply to be delivered to him two or three
hours later. On the next visit of representatives of the Anglo-Persian Oil Com
pany, Limited, permission was accorded to them to use their wireless.
(ii) On the 26th August Shaikh ’Abdullah bin Qasim al Thani, Ruler of
Qatar, left for Hofuf en route to Riyadh on a summons from His Majesty King
Bin Sa’ud. He returned to Dohah on the 27th September.
27. Slavery. —Seventeen slaves were manumitted during the year as com
pared with twenty manumitted during 1932.
28. Climate. —(i) The year 1933 was exceptionally cool and high winds
blew practically throughout the summer.
(ii) On the 1st April a violent, though short, storm with a wind speed of
80 to 85 miles an hour passed over Bahrain causing considerable damage. A
number of reed huts were swept a'way and trees uprooted. Part of the wooden
roofing of a large verandah of the Hospital was carried away and deposited on
the other side of the building. Hail stones measuring about an inch and an
half in circumference fell and a slight earthquake was felt.
(Hi) The total rainfall for the year amounted to 1.44 inches.
29. General. —A more cheerful feeling prevailed in the Suq than there
was in 1932, due to a large extent to the hopes of benefits from oil. The ad
ministrative position of the Bahrain Government was stronger, but the financial
situation continued to give ground for anxiety, though the prospects of oil
development became brighter as the year wore on.
G. LOCH,
Lieut.-Colonel,
Political Agent, Bahrain.