Page 145 - PERSIAN 8 1931_1940_Neat

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ceased to import for him, (he work now being done by Muhammad-al-Tawwil
«md the payments made from (lie liasa Customs. The enormous sum of money
thus tied up with Bin- Sa’ud has undoubtedly weakened them, and though their
influence in Bahrain is still very strong (hey arc much more easily handled than
before.. Abdullah Qusaibi has permitted himself some most violent remarks
about his Monarch, which will doubtless reach the Royal cars.
81. Messrs. Boucicaull and Colder employees of the Marconi Company
arrived on the 2Gth April and paid one or two other visits to Bahrain. They
had experienced great difficulty with their Xajdi personnel, and mentioned the
incident of a simple private of the line who had been promoted mechanic for
meritorious behaviour. They erected stations at Jubail and Qatif bringing the
number in Bin- Sa’ud’s dominions to eighteen.
82. Muhammnd-al-Tawwil studiously avoided the Agency on his visits to
Bahrain, as do almost all Najdi officials, but visited the Hon’blc the Political
Resident on one occasion on board a Mail Steamer. Bin Sa’ud had apparently
tacitly accepted the claim of the Bahrain Government to two per cent, tranship­
ment dues on all cargo passing through Bahrain waters, for Muhammad-al-
Tawwil was instructed to pay (3rd September) on a consignment of 12,000 bags
of rice and 600 bags of sugar that came through for the mainland, but later in
conjunction will Muhammad-al-Marzuk of Karachi, he arranged for the
“ Ahmedi ” to take some 20,000 bags of rice direct to the mainland. The Bahrain
Government declined to allow this steamer to land Bahrain cargo, which was
overcarried to the mainland. Tawwil, with an eye no doubt to future ship­
ments allowed it to be stored free and brought back to Bahrain without payment
of any duty, and is said to have erected a Customs shed at Ras Tanaurah, and
to have offered merchants free transhipments should they bring other consign­
ments there.
83. Bahrain is a Naboth’s vineyard for the King of Sa’udi Arabia.
84. Qatar.—The Political Agent paid several visits to Qatar, two being in
connection with an emergency aerodrome near Dohah. The Shaikh had agreed
to this, subject to being granted an additional measure of protection, but when
his wish was acceded to he then produced other reasons for being unable to grant
it.
85. The Political Agent successfully closed the cases which had caused
trouble with the Shaikh at the end of the proceeding year, and pleasant relations
with the Shaikh were restored.
86. Slavery.—Twenty slaves were manumitted during the year, employ­
ment being found for some in the Bahrain Police. Nothing of interest occurred
in this connection during the year.
87. Climate.—The rainfall amounted to 2.70 inches, the year being some­
what cooler than its predecessor. The most striking features were an excep­
tionally calm January and' autumn, the latter being very favourable to the
raddali.
S8. General.—The year ended with a more optimistic note than 1931, owing
to the improvement ini the local pearl market, and the Bahrain Government,
having won back in the divers’ riot the prestige they bad lost over the agitations
of February, concluded the year in a stronger position than they have hitherto
enjoyed, despite their financial difficulties.
89. The year has on the whole been more satisfactory than 1931, and the
inhabitants of Bahrain- arc possibly even better disposed to the Agency than
before. His Excellency Shaikh Hamad bin Tsa-Al-Klialifali is a loyal friend to
His Majesty's Government and deserves well of them.
G. LOCH,
Licut.-Coloncl,
Political Agent, Bahrain,

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