Page 74 - PERSIAN 9 1931_1940

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Unlike Bahrain few Hindus arc wanted or allowed to reside in Kuwait. Only
12 Muslim Indians live here and they only with the approval of the Ruler.
(c) Eastern and General Oil Syndicate, Ltd.—Major Frank Holmes who left
Kuwait on 20th August 1930 after having been definitely and finally told by the
Shaikh and the Political Agent that any company to whom an Oil Concession
was given must be a British concern, again arrived from Europe on 10th April 1931,
and commenced operations by paying the Shaikh Rs. 10,000 on 27th April,
ostensibly as a gift from his firm to compensate him for their failure to find “ water ”
for the Town. Actual y it was piece of barefaced “ palm oil ” to prepare the way
for future benefits to be received. This was the second important present made
by Major Holmes to the Shaikh the first having been the £l ,000 Sunbeam car given
ill 1929.
A yet third present was made at the end of the year under review, in the shape
of a handsome “ Radio ” set, which so far no one has been able to work.
Major Holmes who always seems to go out of his way to avoid contact with
members of the Royal Navy, left for Basrah again on 17th May and returned on
the 19th May his absence coinciding with the visit of the Senior Naval Officer
on H. M. S. " Triad”.
He finally left for the United Kingdom on 4th July 1931 to get away from the
Gulf summer. On 12th October he once again turned up and after visiting
Falaikah Island in company with the Shaikh of Kuwait on 3rd November, left for
Bahrain on 8th November by S. S. “ Baroda ”, and at the moment of writing is
still there.
Major Holmes gave out the usual story about his visit to Falika Island, namely
that lie hoped to find water for the poor inhabitants residing there.
(/) Boat Building Trade.—The local boat building trade was not quite so pros­
perous during the year under review as during 1930. Some 25 large pearling
dhows of the “ sambuq ” class were laid down and completed, and possibly another
30 smaller fishing craft, locally termed “ Shu’ai ”.
Depressed trade conditions accounted for the above state pf affairs. The
price of a new 70 foot “ sambuq ” fell from Rs. 4,000 to appiqximately Rs. 2,500
a remarkable drop.
On the other hand there was increased activity in the building of motor boats
capable of going out to steamers in rough weather and conveying pearl buyers
(Tawawish) to the distant Banks.
In the early part of the year, His Excellency the Shaikh had a large motor
dhow, some G5 feet long built to a design of his own making. This was fitted with
an £850 six cylinder 75 h. p. thornycroft engine. The launch of this craft took
place on 10th May amidst much rejoicing. The day was observed as a public
holiday and thousands of the Kuwait people attended, both male and female.
Much music, sword dancing, and firing of rifles was the order of the day, and the
noise and excitement was kept up for 24 hours after tliq lapnch had actually been
completed. The way in which the great Dhow weighing with its engine some
100 tons or so, was brought down to the sea from the shipper’s yard, a distance
of 50 yards, on old fashioned rollers, was a sight to gladden the heart of a
sailor. As the occasion was one of considerable importance in the eyes of the
local world, the Political Agent, and his family, was one of the first to be present
and sat with IBs Excellency in State, for some hours watching the proceedings.
All the ladies of the Shaikh’s Harem and those of other members of the A1
Subah were also present—a rather noteworthy, event.
(g) His Majesty the King Emperor's Birthday.—On 3rd June, being the anni­
versary of His Majesty’ the King Emperor’s Birthday, the flagstaffs of the Political
Agency and that of His Excellency the Shaikh were dressed. His Excellency the
Shaikh decided on an entirely departure from previous custom, and officially
informed the Political Agent that as a sign of his respect for the British Royal
ay
family and to emphasize his connection with Great Britain, he had ordered the di
to be observed every year as a public holiday, and that all shops, and business
premises, etc., should be closed on 3rd June.