Page 406 - PERSIAN 8 1931_1940_Neat

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discovery of oil in an area under our control is of considerable strategical’
importance; while from the international point of view the relations of the
Arab Sheikhdoms with their neighbours have increased considerably in
importance and complexity.

1930,
Royal Navy.— As in previous years the Sloops of the Persian Gulf
Division continued to do excellent work on the Arab Coast, and were as
usual frequently called on to assist the Political Resident and Political
Officers under him in making their tours. The Naval Base at Bahrain has
now been completed and is a considerable improvement on the old vied d
terre at Henjam. The subsidiary base at Khor ICuwai has likewise been
completed. During the months of October and November Ilis Excellency
the Commander-in-Chief, East Indies Squadron, H. M. S. Norfolk visit­
ed the Gulf.
Aviation—The aircraft of the Royal Air Force continued their useful
work in connection with the Air Route, and the Resident and Political
Officers under him were enabled from time to time to make tours in Royal
Air Force machines, which proved a considerable convenience.
The bi-weekly service of Imperial Airways was carried out with regu­
larity, though not with punctuality, during the year.
On 29th August the Eastbound Imperial Airways Liner “Horsa”
forced landed in a desolate area on the Arabian mainland 40 miles from
the coast. It was located by Royal Air Force aircraft, by whom the pas­
sengers were transported to Bahrain. The guarding of the machine until
it could be flown to Bahrain a fortnight later was arranged by the Political
Agent, Bahrain, through the Bahrain Government.
In May the Air Navigation Regulations for civil aircraft made by
the Rulers of Muscat, Bahrain and Kuwait were applied by King’s Regula­
tion to persons to whom the Muscat, Bahrain and Kuwait Orders in Coun­
cil respectively apply.
As in 1935, the Arab Air Route remained closed to private aviators.
In spite of this on 4th October Mr. F. W. Rickett, the well-known oil con­
cession hunter of Abyssinian fame, made an unauthorised landing at Shar­
jah in a private aeroplane. Instructions have been issued for the refusal
to him in future of visas for Iran and the Arab States of the Persian Gulf.
On the 30th November and 12th December the Westbound Liners of the
K. L. M., which had not got special authorisation for landing at Bahrain,
and had been driven by weather conditions of! their course along the Persian
coast and! were short of fuel, landed at Bahrain. They were permitted to
refuel and proceed, but the K. L. M1. were informed by His Majesty’s
Government that they should procure special authorisations for all their
machines.
The following facilities for the Civil Air Route were obtained during
the year.
In July permission was obtained from the Shaikh of Abu Dhavi for
the erection of a self-tending beacon on Halul Island.
In September permission for a similar facility on Sir Bu Na’air Island
was obtained from the Shaikh of Sharjah.
'An agreement for landing ground and connected facilities and for
a seaplane anchorage was concluded in August with the Shaikh of Kalba.
In November and December the Royal Air Force, under the auspices
of the Political Agent, Muscat, carried out a successful reconnaissance of
Sauqrah and Kuria Muria Bays. The landing ground previously con­
structed at Sauqrah Bay was made serviceable and an additional landing
ground was constructed between Khor Gharim and Murbat. This success­
ful result was all the more gratifying since, owing to the inaccessibility of

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