Page 405 - PERSIAN 8 1912_1920_Neat

51
FOR TUB YEAR 1015.

CHAPTER XI.
A MINISTRATION REPORT FOR THE KUWAIT POLITICAL
AGENCY POR THE YEAR 1915. •
The year 1915 has shewn, on the whole, a slight improvement in economic
conditions in Kuwait. The general rise
General
in prices, which came soon after the out­
break of war in 1914, has subsided to a large extent, and the only articles of
which the prices still remain excessive are those which were formerly imported
from Austria or Germany. The port has been well served by steamers of the
British India Company throughout the greater part of the year notwithstanding
the occasional appropriation of Company’s vessels for Government work, and
this fact has assisted to keep prices fairly low. Pearling prospects have
brightened; but the rainfall was 2 inches 11 cents only in 1915 and grazing
was therefore poor which reduced the condition of all live stock.
The acquisition of ground along the sea shore to the East and "West of the
town has continued, particularly to the East, and building operations have
commenced in some of the plots acquired.
The local Customs have remained during the year under the same manage­
ment as in' 1914 and the arrangements
Customs.
have continued to be excellent, no com­
plaints having been made which would lead to a suspicion of dishonesty on the
part of the Superintendent. In July, Shaikh Sir Mubarak announced his desire
to hand over the Customs Administration to His Majesty’s Government as a
proof of his confidence in them which might induce ether Arab rulers in the
Persian Gulf to follow liis example; the question, with other matters,
was referred by the Resident for the consideration of the Government of India.
Sir Mubarak’s death, of which mention is made later in this report, has however
caused the question to be shelved for the present.
Some delay has unfortunately occurred in connection with the water
condensing plant which is to bo erected
Water* snpplj.
by the Anglo-Persian Oil Company,
owing to difficulty ill effecting shipment of metals, etc., from England during
the war. News has now arrived of the shipments having been made, and the
Company have undertaken to have the plant in working order before the com­
mencement of the hot weather, which latter is naturally the season in which
most trouble occurs on account of scarcity of drinking water.
The long hoped for Kuwait Post Office was opened in January 1915 and
is of much advantage to the community.
Posts sod Telegraph*.
Irregularity in mail arrangements with
Basrah and certain Gulf Port3 has caused difficulty at times owing to the
suspension of subsidiary steamers, hut as regards communication wir
and Europe, etc., Kuwait has fared fairly well owing to the proximity
and the constant journeys of water boats to and from the Shatt-el-Arab.
Wireless telegraph buildings are being erected, but it is not yet known
when they will be utilised as no plant is at present available for Kuwait
The anniversary of the birthday of His Majesty the King-Emperor was
Ceicbmtion* n0* cele^rate(I Kuwait this year owing
to the war. The usual visits were paid
oy the Political Agent on the Muhammadan feast days.
The number of boats despatched to the pearl banks fell from 800 or 900
Petri ruberj. 300 durinS 1915. This was due prin­
cipally to the depression in the trade
caused by lack of sale in Europe and consequent lack of funds for expendi­
ture. Tho catch was therefore small in extent and sale prospects were bad
at first, but towards the end of the year they improved, and numbers of