Page 62 - PERSIAN 8 1931_1940_Neat

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Electric Light.—The electric light has been extended to Muharraq, by over­
head wiie as far as the deep channel and thereafter by submarine cable, the
poles for the overhead wires being placed on piers that will later be incorporated
in the Manama-Muhanaq sea road. The concern which belongs partly to the State
and paitly to the Municipalities, is paying its way but not making sufficient as yet
to meet depreciation charges.
Mr. W. B. Steele had taken the place of Mr. F. V. Jordan and has been en­
gaged as a full time State servant. He was formerly an employee of Messrs.
Callander’s Cable and Construction Company. He also fulfils the duties of State
Engineer.
Royal Navy.—Several visits were paid to Bahrain by His Majesty’s Ships
stationed in the Persian Gulf and on the 18th December the H. M. S. “ Emerald ”
arrived on a 4 days visit. While she was in poit a fatal accident occurred when
F./Lt. D. Heinncman, who was giving demonstrations in the ships’ “ flycatcher ”
of machine gunning targets on the water, lost flying speed, stalled and crashed
alongside the ship. He was buried next day with full military honours and a
huge following of Arabs accompanied the body to the grave.
It was particularly unfortunate that the accident should have occurred as tho
“ Emerald ” were giving a party to the notables of Bahrain to demonstrate the
various activities of the vessel.
Royal Air Force.—There is little that is new to record regarding the Royal Air
Force. They appear to have given up their Ivhor Lupin moorings, indeed the
Khor is too small for such big vessels as the Rangoons, and are now concentrated
in Khor Kaliya. On one occasion a seaplane accompanied two Rangoon and
they were a mooring short. A violent storm arore but the odd Rangoon was able
to ride it out at its own anchor, thereby proving that the holding ground is good.
The Political Agent undertook several flights accompanying a flight to Masira
Island in May.
The brother of the Shaikh of Rasal Khaimah was flown to Bahrain for medical
treatment and flown Jjack again after a week’s stay. Ilis Excellency Shaikh
Almad-al-Jabir paid his first visit of the year to Bahrain in a flying boat.
British Interests.—Mr. P. W. B. Walker of the Mesopotamia Persia Corpora­
tion Limited who had been unwell for some time was relieved by Mr. J. Russell
from Bunder Abbas in April.
Mr. H. Barden of the Eastern Bank, Limited, was relieved by Mr. D. Ham in
September.
The Bank decided to build new premises on the sea road at a cost of Rs. 75,000,
The building is being built by an Iraqi contractor from reinforced concrete, the
first occasion on which this material has been employed in Bahrain. It will be
very interesting to see the fate of the cement, since, the Bahrain air and water have
hitheito undermined the best that can be produced.
The Anglo-Persian Oil Company became increasingly unpopular throughout the
year owing to the much higher rates asked for petrol and kerosene here as compared
with those obtaining on the Persian Coast. The Arabs feel they are being fleeced
by this Company, who have come to a regional agreement with their competitors
and prevent other stocks coming in.
In April the Imperial and International Communications Company took the
place of the Indo-European Telegraph Department. It is believed that they will
modernize the equipment which is out of date.
The s. s. “ Marly ” chartered by the Bombay firm of Ranchodlal Parsho-
tamdas of Bombay made a trip up the Gulf and caused some alarm to the British
India Steam Navigation Company.
Overseas Trade.—Mr. de Grenier gave great assistance in replying to queries
from the Department of Overseas Trade, a matter with which the Agency is ill
qualified to deal. No new work in this line was undertaken by the Agency during
the year. The Political Agent was unable after nine months’ effort to obtain any
but an American typewriter fiom the Government of India Stationery Office, so
it would be difficult to initiate a “ Buy British ” campaign amongst the local mcr-
chants with a clear conscience.