Page 226 - PERSIAN 9 1931_1940

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4 reserves ’ to find necessary funds, in other words he hns had to spend out of
capital to keep the 200 or so odd members of the ruling family (male and female)
in pocket money. '
5. The import tax on goods entering Kuwait has remained at 4 per cent
ad valorem, which as in the case of Bahrain and Debai tends to attract trade
away from Saudi ports, Persia and ’Iraq. As was the case bust year a further
surtax of per cent, ad valorem is also taken, which is handed over to the
Town Municipality, in place of the old House tax, which was found difficult
of collection and irksome to the majority of the inhabitants. This surtax was
started 3 years ago at the suggestion of certain prominent merchants, and bears
easily on everyone.
Goods exported or imported by British subjects are exempt from this
tax.
(b) Municipality.—1. The general improvement and high standard of
cleanliness and sanitation which the Municipal authorities set themselves to
bring about three years ago, has been maintained in remarkable fashion during
1933. Kuwait to-day is believed to be the cleanest Town in the whole of the
Persian Gulf, and is well ahead of Basra and Mohammerah in this respect. It
certainly is the healthiest of all towns between Karachi and Baghdad for the
simple reason that there are no mosquitoes or sand flies, the soil°is sandy and
wells and cisterns—the harbourers of malaria—are conspicuous by their
absence.
2. The able and energetic Municipal Secretary Sulaiman al Adsani, brother
to the City Qadlii or Judge, was re-elected at the 1933 elections and continues
to do most excellent and fruitful work. He retains the full confidence of the
Shaikh, than whom no more keen person exists, where the health and welfare
of his subjects are concerned.
3. The electrification of Kuwait town foreshadowed in this Agency’s last
Administration Report ns certain for the Autumn of 1933, materialised on the
1st of Ramadhan (18th December 1933). A fine engine house has been erected
on the sea front, and two first class English engines have been installed, which
for the moment perform all the work that is necessary. Two other engines are
on order, and some 1,000 lights have been installed in the Town since the Power
House started work. By the end of 1933, electric cables were carried along the
whole 3 mile limit front of the Town and now extend past the New Agency as far
as the Shaikh’s Palace at Dasman. With the completion of the New Agency
building steps will shortly be taken to obtain the Government of India’s approval
to power being taken from the Town electric plant.
A feature of the electrification of the Town is the fact that it is not managed
by the Town Municipality, but by a Company of ‘ Iraqi cum Kuwait capitalists.
This makes for efficiency and cheapness. The cost per ‘ unit ’ has been fixed
at 6 annas, which compared with other towns is fair.
4. In the affairs of the Municipality the Political Agent confines himself
to propaganda and advice only. He does not interfere, and results achieved in
the last 4 years arc most satisfactory. The chief credit for this highly satisfac­
tory state of affairs must be given to His Excellency the Shaikh, to the Municipal
Secretary and, last but not least, to the Agency Medical Officer, who has been
tireless in his efforts to preach cleanliness'and sanitation. The most satisfac­
tory and indeed most significant feature of the whole thing is that the active
demand for every improvement carried through, has come from the people them­
selves. They are proud of their Town and have caught the spirit of progress
in right earnest.
5. Kuwait still remains ‘ dry nor will the Ruler tolerate for one moment
any such western ideas as “ Cinemas ” or “ Theatres ”, which have done so
much to demoralise certain post-war Arab Slates in the Middle East, in
Shaikh has shown much wisdom in this respect and has received tlie iuiiesc
support of the Political Agent.
Ic) Imperial Airmails and. Aviation questions generaVy.^-JS
now a regular port of call for Imperial Airways aircraft and both Eastbou
Westbound mail and passenger carrying machines stop here.
2. The Easfbound machines land and refuel every Thursday
8-30, while the Westbound mails call on Fridays, the scheduled time oi u
being 11 a.m.