Page 709 - PERSIAN 5 1905_1911

107 ADMINISTRATION REPORT OP THE PER8IAN GULP

For this the Shaikh disclaims all responsibility. Unauthorised excess rat*,
of fes3 are being charged and still the work is not being done. Every otht,
branch of the work is on the same footing.
The chief sufferers have perhaps been the Banyas, but all have suffer^
to a greater or les3 extent, and, by October, public opinion was considerably
worked up. The Shaikh then without consulting or informing the Agency
summoned a general meeting of merchants to obtain their consent to an
increase of the various fixed charges, lighterage, donkey-hire. The Agency
intervened and quashed this irregular proceeding.
Subsequently a number of merchants, Arab and foreign, held a number
of meetings and after much talk a draft prospectus of a Company to under­
take the landing business was submitted unsigned to Shaikn Isa who
approved it and sent it on for the approval of the Political Agent Approval
was withheld, firstly, on the grounds that nothing was known of the appoint
ment of the foreign representatives, and secondly, because the proposals
were incomplete and unsatisfactory.
Since then the Political Agent has made enquiries and has found that
the foreign representatives did not properly represent their communities
and that they did not in fact approve the proposals; also that the Shipping
Companies, as was obvious, could not agree to the rules it was sought tn
impose on them. The Agent of the Arab steamers, Yusuf Kanoo, shirked
expressing his opinion, and asked for time to refer to Bombay. He had at
first been one of the principal promoters.
It is right to say that tbs foreign representatives were careful to keep
the Political Agent informed of the progress of the discussion of the Com­
pany question. Hatters are now practically at a deadlock. Nominally lh*
final opinion of the Agency is awaited, but there is reason to believe that no
section of the public is really in favour of the Company scheme, as pat
forward.
The defects of the management are due to—
(£) inherent physical difficulties,
(m) insufficiency of boats, donkeys and men,
(Hi) want of brains and honesty.
A partial solution might be found in letting Shipping Companies Jand
their own cargo, and reorganising the Delivery Department and importing a
sufficient number of transport animals. The sensitiveness and incapacity of
the Shaikh and the presence of deep international and personal jealousy and
mistrust make at this hour of the day any satisfactory solution highly
improbable.
It is fair to say that Shaikh Isa, during the year, purchased sosse boats
for lightering at a cort probably of some 20,000 rupees; and he is having a
goods shed constructed, which is likely to cost him over Rs. 50,000.
The pearling season was a prosperous one. The take of pearls was
fair, and prices in Bahrain, aod subse­
The Pearling Beninese.
quently in Bombay owing to the Coro­
nation, ruled very high.
Monsieur Victor Rosenthal, the Frenchman, made his annual visit and
was accompanied by a young brother and a cousin. He paid long prices, and
probably made purchases to the extent of 30 to 40 lakhs of rupees.
A British firm was represented by a Mr. Marx, who operated with
much caution, and did not make very considerable purchases.
A Bombay firm was represented by two brothers named Pack. Their
purchases also were not large.
A German, by name Weiss, also made his appearance, but taking offence
nt the climate, returned to Europe by the next maiL
The occasion of the Coronation of His Majesty King George V at Delhi
Th« Coronation. as Emperor of India was oelehrated i»
Bahrain by various functions extending