Page 481 - PERSIAN 5 1905_1911

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POLITICAL RESIDENCY FOR 1909. 71
It will be seen from the above figures that the total number of patients
doubled within two years.
The hospital is popular, being freely attended by all castes and communi­
ties, including people from the districts of Katr and Katif.
I think it is only fair to add that the popularity of the hospital has been
greatly due to the trouble Assistant Surgeon Dr. Monani has taken with his
patients combined with his general tact. He is a great favourite of the in.-
liabitants. The Chief of Bahrain and several other members of the A1
Khalifa family sought advice and treatment from the Assistant Surgeon.
Plans for quarantine buildings have now been marked out on the site
selected and materials for building have been collected.
The period under report has been a decidedly successful one for Bahrain
largely owing to the fact that the value
General.
of pearls was at one time nearly double
what they had been in the previous year, and throughout the busy season the
prices continued very firm.
The date crop was also above the average, and there has accordingly been
a year of considerable prosperity for all classes.
The year has been quiet. The pearling season opened on the 10th May
and closed on the 31st August. After Ramzan, during which month it is
unlawful for a Muhammadan to dive, many boats went out for about 30 days.
The Customs Administration under the management of Gangaram
Tikamdas has worked smoothly and is increasing in efficiency as it discovers
various tricks of the local importers. Owing to the improved trade it is pro­
bable that the receipts to the Shaikh on this account must have been about 3
lakhs.
The Shaikh and his three sons resided in Muharraq, except for about four
,, , . n. ... . „ .. months in the hot weather when they
came over to Manama, Shaikh Esa living
in the old fort at the back of the town.
Shaikh Hamad and Abdullah paid two brief visits to Katif for hawking,
and Shaikh Muhammad went to Lingah for the same purpose.
Shaikh Hamad and Abdullah left Bahrain with 95 followers for a sport­
ing expedition in Kuwait territory. They arrived at Kuwait on the 2nd
December and were met by a grandson of Shaikh Mobarak. They finally
worked their way down to Kasr as Sabaih hawking and hunting and return­
ed to Bahrain in Shaikh Mobarak’s steam launch. The latter gave them and
their followers presents to the value of some 4,000 dollars.
The rainfall in the spring amounted
Climate.
to 80 cents, and in the autumn to
3-84 inches, which is satisfactory.
One day in December 1*65 inches fell, which is quite exceptional for
Bahrain. The result was that much damage was done and every house
leaked badly owing to the system of mud roofs.
The summer was exceptionally hot, and it would appear possible that-
the heat here is largely dependent on the intensity of the south-west monsoon.
The extreme heat does net commence till about three weeks after the monsoon
has broken in Bombay, and it is a curious incident that the last monsoon and
the hottest summer in the Gulf for some years should ooincide.
Two Agents were attached to Messrs. Gray,. Paul& Co., and during the
six busy shell months two Agents of Messrs. R. Wonckhaus & Co. were pre-
A^ merchant named Mr. Rosenthal was buying pearls from July to