Page 719 - PERSIAN 5 1905_1911

117 ADMINISTRATION REPORT OF THE PERSIAN OULF
Another Kuwait “ boom ” belonging to Muhammad Hasan bin Ghulam
v/G3 captured by the Navy, in October, 30 mile3 north of Maskat, with GO
pistols, 300 rifle3 and SO,000 rounds ammunition on board.
No slaves took refuge in the Agency
Slovo Trade.
nor was any application received for
manumission during the year under report.
The Kuwait pearling fleet left for the pearl-banks about the be^innin«
of May and returned about the en?
Poarl Fuhcriea.
of August for the fast during the month
of Ramzan. The pearlers who had intended to leave again for the banks
after the Ramzan month left, on Shaikh Mubarak’s insistence, before the
Id-ul-Fitr.
The year’s catch was said to have been a good one, and as prices also ruled
very high early in the season the year was a good one for the Towashes.
There was a fall in the market at one time owing to reports of a probable
war between France and Germany, but these rumours did not materially
affect the prices realized during the season.
The wealthiest Kuwait pearl merchant, Hilal Umtairi who emigrated
to Bahrain as mentioned in last year’s report, was reconciled to Shaikh Muba­
rak and returned to Kuwait at the end of September.
As no pearl fishery was held in Ceylon this year no passes were issued to
Kuwait divers for proceeding thither.
The British India Steam Navigation Company’s steamers continued to
call at Kuwait fornightly on their out­
Shipping.
ward voyage only until the end of May
when consequent on the introduction of a new time-table and mail service
Kuwait became a port of call on their inward voyage also from Basrah.
This arrangement gives a much superior mail and passenger service, for the
port now has a weekly mail service and a fortnightly passenger service both
up and down the Gulf and the necessity for sending the Agency launch to
Fao fortnightly to fetch Kuwait mails is obviated.
Only one fast mail steamer called at Kuwait in March with passengers
from Bombay.
Two steamers of the Bombay and Persia Steam Navigation Company
called at Kuwait during the year with passengers and cargo.
Two English steamers, the S. S. “ Tangistan ” and the S. S. “ Gloamin,”
called at Kuwait during 1911, the former with 500 bags sugar and the latter
with 10,000 cases petroleum.
About the end of February news reached Kuwait of the flotation of an
Arab Shipping Company with a capital of Rs. 10,00,000 in Bombay. The
reason given for this step was that Arab shippers were weary of the'British
India Steam Navigation Company’s methods. They complained that the
Company was selfish and inconsiderate and its subordinates exacting and
arrogant whilst its officers were oppressive and ill-treated passengers. It
was also said that the British India Agents in Bombay had approached the
prime movers in the matter and endeavoured to prevent the scheme's fruitioa
but without success. Only two steamers of the new Company called at
Kuwait during the year.
In January a “ boom ” belonging to Shaikh Mubarak was run down at
night by a launch of the Anglo-Persian Oil Company in the Shatt-el-Arab.
A claim was made by the Shaikh and the case enquired into by the Political
Agent and His Majesty’s Consul at Mohammerah; it was eventually decided
that the “ boom ” was in fault and that no claim for loss could be entertained.
Another collision occurred in November in the Shatt-el-Arab between a
Kuwait “ boom ” belonging to Haji Muhammad Taqi and an English steamer.
Tbs case is being investigated by the Political Agent and His Majesty's
Consul at Basrah.
Two Turkish soldiers visited Kuwait in March, time-expired men from
TraTellers *id Poreigaet*. Hasa, who left for Basrah by sailing boat
on 1st April.