Page 484 - PERSIAN 5 1905_1911

CHAPTER XL

ADMINISTRATION REPORT OF THE POLITICAL AGENCY,
KUWAIT, FOR THE YEAR 1909.

The year 1909, though remarkable for an abnormally hot summer, as
much as 116-9° being registered as the
Climato and Rainfall.
maximum shade temperature for the 31st
July, appears fortunately to have ended the last two years’ drought as good
rain fell during the last two months. The Bedouin tribes suffered severely
from famine, numbers of their live-stock having died from starvation, and
others sold in Kuwait for very low prices to obtain food.
Latest reports from the desert give encouraging accounts of the growth
of fodder.
An extract prepared from the Agency daily meteorological reports is
appended.
During the year Shaikh Mobarak’s vigorous administration has continued
in maintaining excellent law and order
Local affairs.
iin the town.
For some years the Kuwait shroffs have been depreciating the Indian
rupee by refusing to exchange it at its full value of 64 copper pice, against
which the exchange rate of dollars is calculated. The fact was brought to
the Shaikh’s notice by some well-to-do pearl merchants returning from Bom­
bay, whereupon he at once took action, had all the money-changers beaten,
confiscated part of their capital and issued orders prohibiting the rate of ex­
change for rupees falling below 64 pice.
During the year the Shaikh has also had all weights and measures in the
bazaars examined and shopkeepers found using incorrect substitutes were
fined.
Mr. Kemp, the only European in the Shaikh’s employ, in July resigned
his post as Chief Engineer of the Shaikh’s steam yacht, his duties being now
in the hands of two Arabs, formerly his firemen.
Visits were paid to Kuwait during the year by Shaikh Khazal of
Mohammcrah in October, and in Decem­
Visit of Shaikh Haraed-al-KIali/a.
ber by Shaikh Hamed-bin-Esa-al-
Khalifa accompanied by his younger brother Abdullah and Shaikh Ibrabim-
bin-Khalid with a following of about 100 men. After a few days’ stay in
Kuwait, the latter party went out hawking and were met by the Political
Agent in the course of his tour. After about a fortnight they left for
Bahrain overland against Shaikh Mobarak’s advice. It is said Shaikh
Mobarak gave the young Chiefs and their followers costly presents in
clothes to the value of some $4,000 besides entertaining the whole party during
their visit and providing them with transport and food for their journey to
Jazirat-al-Amayir, whence his yacht took them to Bahrain.
Many Bedouin Shaikhs have visited the Political Agent during the
year, among them being Ma’ana-ibn-Juma, Shaikh of the Athain Ajman,
Mitni-ibn-Hilal of the Thaffir, Aghab-bin-Ghanaim of the Jiblan Umtair,
Jafrara and Haif-al-Fugam of the As Sabah Umtair, Muhammad-bin-
Sultan-ad-Dawish, Muhammad-ibn-Athnain of the Sbi’a, Fahaid-al-Fahuma
of the Awazim and many others.
Owing to scarcity of food and fodder comparative tranquillity has boon
the feature of Nejd politics in the past
Nej-J Affair#.
year, excepting small raids of which
some are noted below.