Page 61 - PERSIAN 9 1931_1940

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trade of Bahrain would have come to a standstill. This surprising demand from
India is thought to be due to money that could not be spent on better class textiles
owing to the boycott being expended in pearls. Another view is that pearls
are an essential part of certain religious ceremonies among Hindus, and still an-
other view, that in a world of fluctuating values some felt pearls were a good in­
vestment.
Both catch and prices were poor, though prices did not fall below the very
low figures of the preceding year. Next year, there is little doubt that many
fewer boats will set out for there is no longer the capital to finance them. It is
estimated that two-thirds of the pearling capital in Bahrain has disappeared into
the sea in the last three years, and men who had a capital of ten or fifteen lakhs
have nothing left except pearls for which there arc no purchasers.
Bad though the state of trade is in Bahrain there is some comfort
to be found in the reflection that our neighbours are worse off, for Qatif and
Qatar are to all intents and purposes ruined. A cause of the comparative
prosperity of Bahrain is to be found in the fact that Gulf capitalists have steadily
been moving their capital over and establishing their headquarters here for
some years past. This is true both of the Arab and Persian coasts, and is a
great tribute to the administration of Bahrain. There is little doubt that its good
order, security, bank, wireless and shipping facilities act as lodestones, and both
Nejdi and Persian merchants and shaikhs have been moving their valuables to its
gilt-edged shores.
The total value of the trade amounted to Rs. 1,71,20,220 as compared with
Rs. 2,53,00,480 during the preceding year. The total value of imports amounted
to Rs. 1,04,01,880 as against Rs. 1,00,37,490 the preceding year. The exports
amounted to R?. 00,58,340 as against Rs. 9,20,29,990 for the preceding year. The
figures of export are not accurate since few of the pearls exported are declared at
their proper value if declared at all.
Pearling Industry.—The Political Agent paid a visit to the pearl banks in the
S. L. “ John Lambert ”, and boarded a number of Bahrain vessels. He took
fresh limes and some simple medicines with him and was v^ry well received by the
nakhudas. Two divers were brought back for medical treatment, one being
in the last stages of tuberculosis.
Industry.—It is pleasant to have to record the birth of a new industry in
Bahrain. Khalil Kanoo, and one Faik Adliam, a Syrian, entered into a partner­
ship to produce tiles and wc-ic gmn a monopoly for two years to encourage them.
They have produced some 70,000 of excellent quality and fully equal to the best
that Basra produces but lave* feurd seme difficulty in disposing of them. The
partnership has breken up, Faik Adhnm describing his late partner as “ a friendly
thief”. If times were normal they would have done very well.
Athletics.—There has been a marked interest in football during the past year
and the Political Agent took a team to Basra for three days.
Boat Building and Slaying.—The total number of motor launches plying for
hiie on 31st December was 53. Of these 5 wore built during the year.
Thirty-two Sailing vessels were built in Bahrain during the your as compared
with 55 built the preceding year.
One hundred arrd sixteen British Ships, 10 German and 1 Norwegian entered
and cleared the Port of Bahrain as compared with 123 British ships and
11 German ships that called during the preceding year.
Early in November the British India Steam Navigation Company decided
to allow their down steamers to make a weekly call at Bahrain instead of fortnightly.
This has been a welcome change and is much appreciated by the local mercantile
community.
Seven accidents took place at sea, within Port limits, during the year and in
three cases loss of life occurred, once when a coolie was killed while cargo was being
discharged from the * s. “Bunkum ” on the 10th April, and on two other occasion*
when men were swept overboard and drowned, one of these accidents occuruug
on a landing company's lighter. "The Landing Company have worked at a low*
throughout the year and have had several boats badly damaged m the heavy
storms at the close of the year.
McawiD p

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