Page 220 - PERSIAN 9 1931_1940

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would be ou< of work. The suggestion is, in any case, impracticable unless the
whole diving industry in the Gulf co-operated.
(Hi) Attempts are being made to introduce Japanese cultured pearls and
in one case a salutary punishment was inflicted. In view of tlie adverse effect
that the introduction of cultured pearls would have on the pearl trade, the
Bahrain Government issued a notice laying down severe penalties for those
indulging in this nefarious practice and other Rulers of the Arab Littoral have
been asked to co-operate in the matter.
(iv) The total value of trade amounted to Rs. 15,872,400 as compared with
Rs. 3(5,082,270 in 1082. The total value of imports amounted to Rs. 0,194,200 as
against Us. 10,582,710 and exports to Us. 6,678,100 as against Us. 6,390,560 in
1022.
(v) Cargo valued at Us. 2,530,000 was transhipped «« Bahrain for the
mainland and other ports as compared with cargo valued at Us. 2,103,250 tran­
shipped in 1032.
(vi) The figures of exports arc not accurate since few of the pearls exported
.are declared at their proper value, and those carried by exporters in person are
not declared at all. The figures for specie are also unreliable.
14. Industries.—Nil.
15. Athletics.—(i) Interest in football (soccer) continues to increase and
there are now seven football clubs in Bahrain. The Bahrain Sports Club, which
is the oldest institution of its kind in Bahrain, plays hockey and cricket (and
to a lesser degree football) and has two tennis courts.
(ii) There is one Golf Club in Manamah and another at the Bahrain Petro­
leum Company, Limited’s camp.
16. Boat Building and Shipping.—(i) The total number of launches plying
for hire ou the 31st December was fifty-seven as against sixty-two on the cor­
responding date of the previous year,
(ii) Four hundred and thirty-six pearling craft were licensed during the
year as against four hundred and fifty-eight licensed in 1932.
(i/7) Seventeen new sailing vessels were built ns compared with sixteen
built during 1932. One sailing vessel was converted into a launch and one was
t>old.
(iv) One hundred and forty-two British Ships and ten German Ships
entered and cleared the Port of Bahrain during the year under review as com­
pared with one hundred and fifty-one British Ships, eleven German Ships and
three Norwegian Ships that entered and cleared the Port during the previous
year.
(v) On the 31st December the S. S. “ Registan ” of the Strick Line of
steamers ran aground about five miles north-west of the outer buoy, while enter­
ing the .Bahrain harbour. She was lightered and- refloated the following day.
No damage was done.
(vi) His Majesty King Bin Sa’ud purchased a launch in Bahrain from ’Ali
bin Saqar al Jalahaimah for Rs. 4,500.
(fit) The S. S. “ Fagervick ” of the National Steamship Company of
Norway proceeded to Ras Tanurah direct in September with a cargo of rice for
the mainland. She did not call at Bahrain.
(viii) 'The Ras Zarwan beacon was demolished early in the year and a re­
inforced concrete pillar was erected in its place. On the 10th May an automatic
white flashing light was placed on the pillar but, as it was in direct line with
the Customs’ mast light from the West Spit buoy anchorage it was hardly visible
to craft making the port at night, and the colour was changed to red on the 31st
October.
17. Boyal Navy.—(?) The Senior Naval Officer, Persian Gulf Division, in
J£. M. »S. “ Triad ” and later in II. M. S. “ Sborcham ” and others of His
Majesty’s Ships of the Persian Gulf Division paid frequent visits to Bahrain
during the year.
(ii) H. M. S. “ Enterprise ” of the Fourth Cruiser Squadron arrived on the
12th and left on the 14th April. She was to have left on the 15th April but pu
out earlier of account of heavy seas.