"تقارير إدارية ١٩٣١-١٩٣٥" [ظ‎‎١‎٩‎٩] (٤١٦/٣٩٨)

Bahrain Branch of the Mesopotamia Persia Corporation Limited, visited
Ras al Khaimah to enquire into the question and to submit his recommenda-
tions on the Shaikh’s request.
(v) Geologists of the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company visited Ras al
Khaimah and Abu Dhabi in response to requests from the Shaikhs to ex
plore the possibility of obtaining artesian water. . . ,
(vi) A representative of the D’Arcy Exploration Company Limited has
visited the various Shaikhdoms of the Trucial Coast to negotiate options
W tbe exploration of oil. By the end of the year he had secured options
for a period of ten years from the Shaikhs of Ras al Khaimah, Sharjan,
Dnbti and ’Ajman. " The Shaikh of Abu Dhabi however, proved less will
ing to negotiate. (Note. An option was secured early m 193G.)
r. Aviation .—(\)The east and west bound services of Imperial Airways
Limited were duplicated from the 1st January and night stops have been
made at Sharjah throughout the year. No incidents occurred in connection
with the Company’s bi-weekly services.
(ii) Lord Sempill passed through Sharjah on the 23rd March m a Puss
Moth aeroplane. He informed the Political Agent at Bahrain that he
was unaware of the prohibition regarding flights by private aviators along
the Arab air route and expressed regret for his mistake.
(iii) T n November Mr. B. C. H. Cross, Area Manager, Near East Area
Imperial*Airways Limited, visited the Trucial Coast m connection with
the^proposed expansion of the Company s services on the Croydon-Karachi
route Mr. Cross examined the lagoons at Ras al Khaimah, Umm al
Oaiwain and Dubai with a view to selecting a place suitable for an anchor^
a-e for seaplanes, which the Company intend to use when their expanded
service comes into operation. Mr. R. Wade, a Station Superintendent
of Imperial Airways also visited the Trucial Coast m the same connection
in December. . x ^ ,
(iv) In February the Political Agent, Bahrain (Lieutenant-Colonel
Gordon Loch C I.E.,), negotiated an agreement with Shaikh Shakhbut bin
Sultan! Ruler of Abu Dhabi, regularizing the position in regard to the
petrol store and landing ground at Sir Bam Yas Island, andforthe estab
lishment of a petrol store and emergency landing ground at Abu V™bi.
Later, when a Works Party landed at A bu Dhabi to mark the
landing ground and construct the petrol store, the Shaikh (largely as the
result of ill advice) refused to allow the construction of the petrol
store on the ground that it was not specially mentioned m the
agreement concluded earlier in the year. He also complained
that the Works Party landed at Sir Bani Yas Island at the same
“had spoilt his island” by marking a landing ground. It was pointed out
to the Shaikh that the petrol store was a natural adjunct to a landing grouna
hut he refused to modify his views. The Officiating Political
(Captain G. A. Cole), therefore, proceeded to Abu Dhabi ^ June and as
a result of a threat of pressure and the intervention of Shaikh ba id Din
Maktum of Dubai, Shaikh Shakhbut bin Sultan withdrew his oppositio
and the petrol store was constructed without further obstruction.
(v) Living boats and aeroplanes of the Royal Air Force have frequently
visited various grounds and seaplane anchorages on the Trucial Coast.
6. Royal Navy.—(i) Sloops of the Persian Gulf Division have paid fre
quent visits to the Trucial Coast.
(ii) In January, H. M. S. Hawkins, flying the Flag of His Exeeliency
Vice-Admiral F. F. Rose, C.B., D.S.O., Comma,nder-m-Chief, East Indies
Station, visited Dubai, where the Shaikhs of Dubai, Sharjah and A]
were introduced to him by the Residency Agent. The Shaikhs of Abu a
and Umm al Qaiwain were unable to be present owing to illness and
Shaikh of Ras al Khaimah did not attend. H. M. S. Hawkins also visiteu
Sharjah, where His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief inspecte
Imperial Airways’ Rest House.
(iii) The transfer of the Naval Base from Heniam to Bahrain in ^P^L,
caused comparatively little comment on the Trucial Coast, where most