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(iii) Herr Heinrich Re; finger of the Importing and Exporting Firm of
Johann Schlinz of Bremen, importers of motor mother of pearl, arrived on
business on the 24th September 1938. In view of the European situation,
he returned to Germany after a stay of only two days.
(it;) Herr II. J. Wattenberg of Messrs. F. Unduetsch and Company
(frnq) Limited arrived in Bahrain on the 28th November 1938 in connection
with business with his Company’s local agent, Mohammad Abdulnabi Bushiri,
dealers in bazaar goods, cement and iron and mother of pearl shells. He has
applied on behalf of his Company to open a branch in Bahrain.
(v) Herr II. Wengoborski, agent of the Hansa Line of steamers at Ahwaz,
arrived on the 1st December 1938 with the object of accompanying the
Hansa S.S. “ Gcirfels ” on its inaugural visit to lias Tanura. This fell
through, but he visited Al Khobar before leaving Bahrain on the lltli
December.
(vi) Three Germans, Karl Weber and his wife and Paul Schmidt, passen-
s ers on the British India Steam Navigation Company’s slow boat S.S.
Bamora ”, landed during the steamer’s stay in port on the 12th December
1938. Mr. Weber is a journalist and busied himself taking photographs from
the time he landed. Mr. Schmidt is a merchant and was met on board by
Mr. Campbell, Gray Mackenzie’s agent here.
23. Visits of British Notables.—(i) Her Royal Highness Princess Alice
and the Earl of Atlilonc visited Bahrain from the 17th to the 20th March,
after travelling across Saudi Arabia as the guests of King J.bn Sand. This
visit, the first with which Bahrain has been honoured by members of the
Royal Family, gave Hi3 Highness the Shaikh and the people of Bahrain
immense pleasure.
(ii) His Excellency the Commandcr-in-Chief, East Indies Squadron,
visited Bahrain in H.M.S. Norfolk from the 23rd to the 2fith November. He
stayed at the Agency and exchanged calls with His Highness the Shaikh of
Bahrain. He also visited the Bahrain Petroleum Company’s Oil Field and
Refinery in company with several of his officers.
24. Visits of Arab Notables.— (i) On the 17th July, three Saudi officials
arrived from Al Khobar with several petty officials and menials. They
were :—
Shaikh Muhammad Sarur Al Sabban, Manager, Ministry of Saudian
Finance;
Zaki Effendi Omer, Director General of Saudian Customs; and
Ibrahim Effendi Redwan, Saudian Representative at Al Khobar.
(ii) The Shaikh of Dubai visited Bahrain in August to discuss with the
Political Agent the political situation in Dubai (see Trucial Coast section).
His brother Shaikh Juma bin Maktum also visited the Political Agent early
in October on the same business.
25. Slavery.—142 slaves were manumitted during the year as compared
with 45 during the year 1937.
26. Climate.—The summer of 1938 was particularly hot and humid,
local residents stating that it was the worst summer in .living memory.
Very little rain fell, and the winter was generally mild.
27. Qatar.—(i) The rupture of relations between Bahrain and Qatar,
which began at the time of the Zubarah incident, still continues. Travel
from Qatar to Bahrain is only allowed by the Bahrain Government in emergent
cases when medical attention is required.
(ii) During the year the Shaikh of Qatar formally raised the question
of the ownership of the Hawar Islands. He objected to the occupation of
these islands by the Bahrain Government and formally claimed sovereignty
for Qatar. The Bahrain Government have submitted their formal counter­
claim, and at the moment a rejoinder from the Shaikh of Qatar is awaited.
(in) During the summer, certain members of the Al Thani family came
over to Bahrain, claiming that no provision was being made for their liveli­
hood by the Shaikh. They remained as the guests of Shaikh Sir Hamad
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