Page 388 - PERSIAN 8 1931_1940_Neat

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Bahrain Branch of tlie Mesopotamia Persia Corporation Limited, visited
Has al Klmimah to enquire into the question and to submit his recommenda­
tions on the Shaikh’s request.
(v) Geologists of the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company visited Uas al
Khaimnh and Aim Dhabi in response to requests from the Shaikhs to ex­
plore the possibility of obtaining artesian water.
(vi) A representative of the D’Arev Exploration Company Limited has
visited the various Sheikhdoms of the Trueial Coast to negotiate options
for the exploration of oil. By the end of the year lie had secured options
for a period of ten years from the Shaikhs of Has al Khaimah, Sharjah,
Dubai and ’Ajman. The Shaikh of Abu Dhabi, however, proved less will­
ing to negotiate. (Note. An option was secured early in 193G.)
5. A mat ion.—(i) The cast and west bound services of Imperial Airways
Limited were duplicated from the 1st January and night stops have been
made at Sharjah throughout the year. No incidents occurred in connection
with the Company’s bi-weekly services.
(ii) Lord Sempill passed through Sharjah on the 23rd March in a Puss
Moth aeroplane. lie informed the Political Agent at Bahrain that he
was unaware of the prohibition regarding flights by private aviators along
the Arab air route and expressed regret for his mistake.
(iii) Jn November Mr. B. C. II. Cross. Area Manager, Near Bast Area,
Imperial Airways Limited, visited the Trucial Coast in connection with
the proposed expansion of the Company’s services on the Croydon-Karachi
route. Mr. Cross examined the lagoons at Pas al Khaimah, Umm al
Qaiwain and Dubai with a view to selecting a place suitable for an anchor
age for seaplanes, which the Company intend to use when their expanded
service comes into operation. Mr. R. Wade, a Station Superintendent
of Imperial Airways also visited thp Trucial Coast in the same connection
in December.
(iv) In February the Political Agent, Bahrain (Lieutenant-Colonel
Gordon Loch, C.I.K.,), negotiated an agreement with Shaikh Shakhbut bin
Sultan, Ruler of Abu Dhabi, regularizing the position in regard to the
petrol store and landing ground at Sir Bani Yas Island, and for the estab­
lishment of a petrol store and emergency landing ground at Abu Dhabi.
Later, when a Works Party landed at Abu Dhabi to mark the
landing ground and construct the petrol store, the Shaikh (largely as the
result of ill advice) refused to allow the construction of the petrol
store on the ground that it was not specially mentioned in the
agreement, concluded earlier in the year. He also complained
that the Works Party landed at Sir Bani Yas Island at the same time
“had spoilt his island” by marking a landing ground. It was pointed out
to the Shaikh that the petrol store was a natural adjunct to a landing ground
but he refused to modify his views. The Officiating Political Agent
(Captain G. A. Cole), therefore, proceeded to Abu Dhabi in June and as
a result of a threat of pressure and the intervention of Shaikh Sa’id bin
Maktum of Dubai, Shaikh Shakhbut. bin Sultan withdrew his opposition
and the petrol store was constructed without further obstruction.
(v) Flying boats and aeroplanes of the Royal Air Force have frequently
visited various grounds and seaplane anchorages on the Trucial Coast.
G. Royal Navy.—(i) Sloops of the Persian Gulf Division have paid fre­
quent visits to the Trucial Coast.
(ii) In January, II. M. S. Hawkins, flying the Flag of His Excellency
Vice-Admiral F. F. Rose, O.B., D.S.O., Commander-in-Chief, Fast Indies
Station, visited Dubai, where, the Shaikhs of Dubai, Sharjah and ’Aiman
were introduced to him by the Residency Agent. The. Shaikhs of Abu Dhabi
and Umm al Qaiwain were unable to be present owing to illness and the
Shaikh of Ras al Khaimah did not attend. II. M. S. Hawkins also visited
Sharjah, where His Excellency the Commnndcr-in-Chicf inspected the
Imperial Airways’ Rest House.
(iii) The transfer of the. Naval Base from TIeniam to Bahrain in April
caused comparatively little comment on the Trucial Coast, where most of