Page 380 - PERSIAN 9 1931_1940

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When Shaikh 'Abdullah bin Hamad was appointed to the Bahrain
Court, his place on the Junior Joint Court was lillcd by Shaikh Khalifah
bin Muhammad. Both appointments were popular.
3. Local Government Officials.—Mr. C. C. L. de Grenier, Director of
Customs and Port Officer, Bahrain, proceeded on leave to England on tho
16th May. During his absence his work was carried on by the Financial
Adviser to the Bahrain Government. Mr. do Grenier returned from leave
on the 22nd November.
Mr. C. Dalrymple Belgrave, Financial Adviser to the Bahrain Govern­
ment, proceeded on short leave to ’Iraq on the 22nd September, He
returned to headquarters on tho 30th September.
Mr. W. B. Steele has been State Engineer to the Bahrain Government
throughout the year.
4. Bahrain Armed Police.—There has been no change, in the distribu­
tion of the Armed Police and posts have been maintained throughout the
year at Muharraq and Hidd. In addition the Police have supplied various
guards in Manamah and at the Civil Landing Ground at Muharraq. The
Armed Police numbered 182 men and followers on the 31st December.
There are three Indian Instructors on the strength of the Armed Police.
A Police Post was built at Budaiya* during the year, but as no regular
police were available it was placed in charge of a section of naturs, who
are stationed there for a month at a time.
The Armed Police took part in a number of ceremonial occasions during
the year, the most notable being the parade, which was held on the 6th
May in honour of Plis late Most Gracious Majesty’s Silver Jubilee. Detach­
ments from H. M. S. Bideford and H. M. S. Fowey also took part in tho
parade, at which the salute was taken by His Excellency Shaikh Sir Hamad
bin ’Isa A1 Khalifah.
In addition to and independent of the Armed Police there is a body
of naturs or armed night watchmen. There has been no change in their
organization except that they now wear a simple white uniform on official
occasions. The naturs numbered 108 at the end of the year.
The astonishing improvement which has taken place of late years in
law and order in Bahrain may be judged by the fact the Political Agent
was able recently to fix the time of night of a misdeed by a number of
persons having noticed the noise of a rifle being discharged !
5. Local Affairs.—(i) In April 1935 the British Naval Stations at
Henjam and Basidu were transferred to Bahrain.
(ii) In March 1935, representatives of the Sa’udi Arabian Governnient,
headed by the Deputy Minister of Finance, arrived at Bahrain to discuss
arrangements for the transhipment at Bahrain of goods destined for Sa’udi
Arabia and the rate of transit dues to be levied by the Bahrain Government.
They were put into touch with representatives of the Bahrain Government
bv the Political Agent and conversations continued till the 7111 April. An
agreement satisfactory to both Governments was reached andi was formally
ratified by an exchange of letters between His Majesty’s Government on
hebalf of the Bahrain Government and the Sa’udi Arabian Government on
the 16th November 1935.
(lii) A lamentable incident occurred in Bahrain on the 14th April
resulting in the death of 83 persons mostly women and children. A crowd
of some 2,000 persons gathered outside tiie house of an Iranian merchant
having heard that he was to distribute alms to the poor. They thronged
into the. narrow passage way leading into the inner courtyard' of his house
and to control the numbers entering, the outer door which opens in words
was closed and locked. A panic ensued and in trying to force their way
out a number of people were crushed and trampled upon before the door
could be onened. His Excellency Shaikh Sir Hamad bin ’Isa A1 Khalifah
ppened a Relief Fund for the relatives of the victims.