Page 143 - PERSIAN 8 1931_1940_Neat

47
Political Agent made a number of flights, once spending half an hour over tho
Qatar Peninsula at an elevation of under a hundred feet, searching for landing
grounds, an uncomfortable experience in a flying boat.
57. Aviation.—Imperial Airways decided to transfer their line to the Arab
Coast and the first flight was due to pass through Bahrain on the 6th October.
The first aeroplane, Hanno, duly arrived but sank into the treacherous surface
of the Manamah aerodrome and only freed itself next day after tremendous
efforts. Imperial Airways had been warned of tho surface of this aerodrome,
hut unaccountably paid no heed, nor dkl they se?ul a Hannibal pilot to investi­
gate until a fortnight before the first aeroplane was due. When this pilot came,
ho pronounced the aerodrome as unsuitable, hut his recommendations were
ignored with this untoward result. The Company then obtained permission
from the .State to use the Muharraq aerodrome, but by the end of the year
neither had the location of a permanent aerodrome being decided, nor had ilio
Company completed the equipping of their Rest House.
58. British Interests.—Mr. J. Russell of the Mesopotamia Persia Corpora­
tion, Limited, held charge throughout tho year. The Landing Company, the
property of the British India Steam Navigation Company, Limited, but inn by
this firm, lost throughout the year, the visits of the “ Marly ” and “ Eagcrvick ”
(neither of whom utilized their services) causing additional loss. The Landing
Company, like the Mail Service, are a vital necessity for Bahrain, since they
and they alone possess craft large enough to handle very bulky cargo, and
crews prepared to take their boats out in boisterous weather.
59. Mr. D. Ham held charge of the Eastern Bank throughout the year. The
new premises were opened on the 23rd June and represent a new era in Bahrain
building, being constructed of steel and reinforced concrete.
60. Complaints against the unduly high rates charged by the Anglo
Persian Oil Company, Limited, for petrol continue to be made. Hajji
A. F. Williamson and Mr. Luard visited Bahrain during the year, and
Mr. Mylles passed through Bahrain after securing an exploration concession
from the Shaikh of Qatar.
61. Post Office.—During the year 3,907 registered letters were received*
and 3,201 despatched as compared with 3,566 registered letters received and 3,080
despatched during the previous year. 3,907 parcels were received and1 271
despatched and Rs. 12,164-2-0 worth of stamps were sold.
Cash Certificates worth Rs. .18,080-12-0 were sold and Certificates worth
Rs. 7,028-9-6 were discharged. British Postal Orders to tho value of
Rs. 952-1-6 were sold and Rs. 31-13-6 paid. Savings Bank deposits amounted
to Rs. 41,347-15-3 and Money Orders for Rs. 1,21,142-6-6 were issued and
Rs. 5,628-4-6 paid.
Articles despatched by the West bound Air Mail weighed 35.960 kilogrammes
and by the East bound Air Mail 29.000 kilogrammes.
62. Mr. Bashiruddin was replaced in October by Mr. Zafar Husain, who was
formerly at Bahrain. Mr. Bnshiruddin suffered from a mild form of religious
mania and caused considerable annoyance to tho public and the Agency and
finally, it is believed to the Postal Department itself.
63. Medical.—Assistant Surgeon R. Holmes held charge throughout the year
and did excellent work. It is interesting to note that Bahama women, the most
ignorant and bigoted inhabitants of the Islands, come'to Dr. Holmes1 hospital
more readily than to the American Mission Women’s Hospital.
64. The total number of cases treated during the year, compared with the
previous year, were :—
1931. 1932.
Outdoor patients 13,070 14,614
Indoor patients 244 278
Major and Minor Operations 1,038 709
65. 32,376 outdoor patients and 387 indoor patients were treated at tho
Men’8 Hospital of the American Mission during the year and 515 Major and
Minor operations were performed.
66. Dr. L. P. Dame proceeded to Taif on the 20th May to attend a favorite
wife of Bin-Sa’ud’s, returning on tho 2nd August. lie then proceeded to India