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(d) Bahts & Telegraphs
(1) Tho Indian P03tal Administration continued to run the Bast
Office throughout the year. The land telegraph line to Basrah ha3
v/orked satisfactorily. At present messages are only accepted and
roceivod in English. A3 a result of representation from Hi3 High­
ness the Director of Basts & Telegraphs, Sind and Baluchistan Circle,
Karachi has bocn requested to instruct the Sub-Pastraa3ter to receive
and transmit messagos in Arabic. The matter has been referred by
the latfrgr to the Director General of Basts & Tolographs, New Delhi.
(ii) Messrs Cable & Wireless have continued to operato their
wireless telograph station efficiently, The automatic telephone
system installed by Cable & Wireless in February, 1942, Is showing
signs of wear and tear which has been largely duo to their inability
to procure necessary replacements from the United Kingdom due to war
conditions, There are over 76 applicants for whom instruments are
not available.
(e) Municipality
During the year yet another executive officer of the municipality
was detected in defalcations and dismissed, but not otherwise punish-
ed. Sxecutive officers are now presumed to be corrupt until the
contrary is proved.
(f) Hai
The Saudi Government maintained the ban on the entry of persons
into their territory who were not in possession of regular travel
papers and the pilgrim traffic through Kuwait was consequently small.
387 people in all left for the Haj during the year out of whom 314
made the journey by camel, The lorry fare (return) was Rs.QOO/-
ccr person. 3ars were far more expensive: 3 Kajis hired one for
Es.10,000.
(g) Pearling.
Very few boats put out for the dive tut those that did returned
for F.amadhan with good hauls, Consequently a greater number left
after Ramadhan but their catch was most disappointing.
The following were the ruling prices in October:-
Jewan Rs. 800/- per chaw.
Sheeren Es; 100/-
Golwa Rs. 50/-
Badla Rs. 15 to 80/-
Naeim Rs. 60 to 65/- n
(h) Ship-building.
•
Shortage of wood, particularly teak, still hampered the industry
and activity was almost entirely confined to construction of boats
for the V/ater-Supply Company. Owing to these new boats and to an
unprecedented and very welcome rain-storm in July, the usual summer
water crisis did not occur.
(1) The Safar.
As a result of the paucity of steamer sailings ocean-going dhows
continued to prosper. 76 returneB to Kuwait In the early summer
end 139 left for India and Africa towards the close of the year.
7. DESERT INTERESTS
1945 was an easier year for the bedouin than either of the pro­
ceeding tv;o. Rains and grazing were better and the distribution of
cuota goods was more efficiently and fairly organised than previously*
finally they had had time partly to adjust themsolves to the use of
cubstitutes for rice, although digestive ailnent3 arising from the
consumption of wheat cooked and milled by unorthodox and ineffective
*VvvA,£T!f