Page 657 - PERSIAN 9 1941_1947
P. 657

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           two-half hour periods to two one-hour periods dally.       From
           November Saudi Arabia traffic has been forv/arded through
           Saudi Government Station at A1 Khobar. The Radio Telephone
           service to Dukhan, Qatar, was changed to Radio Telegraphy.
                   (iJf) Cables
                         The Gulf cables were interrupted for long periods,
           including total interruptions. The only cable restored was
           the Bushire - Unseat cable by H.I'.S. "Bull-finch”,
           Communications were, however, maintained by alternative
           wireless channels to Aden and London direct. In November
           a  temporary wireless circuit was operated with the Karachi
           radio*to assist the Pakistan Government. It was discontinued
           when the L’uscat - Karachi cable was restored after a period
           of two years. It is believed that its interruption was cue
           to the earthquake off the I'ekran coast.

                    $v) Technical
                         the installation of a second 10 K.'.V. telegraphy/
           telephone was completed. Difficulty was experienced ir:
           maintaining communication free from interruption because
           of the breakdown of the local electricity supply, ■‘■here 7/ere
           eight cases of repairs to. ship wireless installation during
           the year.

                    (v) Staff
                         The development of communications at Bahrein
           which include Bedio/lelephcne circuits and Automatic
           Telephones has resulted in an increase of Staff.
                         The Cable Office has been extended to house
           the R/T terminal, and other building projects for housing
           of R/T Staff are under construction.
                   (vi) Concession Rights
                         Cn the 2?th of July Cable and wireless Limited
           obtained from the Shaikh a concession to operate telephone
           cormunic?tion and public telephone services in his dominions
           for a period of 20 years. This really regularised a position
           as monopolists which this long-established concern has held.
           23. BRITISH 07~;R5~:.3 AIR./AYS CORPORATION
                   (1)   Towards the beginning of the year the * C1 Class
           flying-boat services were withdrawn from the Cairo - Eahrain -
           Karachi runs. No service replaced them and the only service
           which passes through Bahrain was the United Kingdom - Singapore
           service. There was bitter disappointment’ among the public
           as it was practically impossible to obtain passages on these
           through services.

                         About this time the B.O.A. C. agreed to operate
           a "Plymouth" weekly flying-boat service between UK - Eahrain
           v/ith a shuttle service to Karachi. Negotiations were
           completed in about Hay and the service was introduced
           shortly afterwards.
                         The Karachi - Bahrain service was found to be
           unprofitable to the Corporation and was discontinued towards
           the latter part of the year. The Bahrain UK service still
           continues.
                (ii) Accidents to B.O.A.C. aircraft
                         On the ?3rd of August in the early hours of the
           morning a B.O.A.C. flying-boat crashed into the sea while
           alighting.at the Eahrain airport.                  / Seven
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