Page 695 - PERSIAN 8 1931_1940_Neat

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(c) Medical.—The number of patients treated in the Government dispensary
for tho year was 14,903. The prevalent sicknesses were connected with the eye
and car, and there were a larger number of influenza cases than in previous years.
There wore no epidemics.
(/) Financial.—The Treasury receipts increased owing to the revival of trade
with Ncjd. Efforts were made by the Political Authorities to induce the Shaikh
to make a budget. Certain statements were produced which show a state of com­
plete chaos, and ignorance of elementary accounting.
(g) Education.—Mr. Adrian-Vallance again inspected the schools, and scarcely
any improvement was found on the previous year’s workings. Relatively, however,
this department of the administration is not bad.
The Kuwait Oil Company sent two boys to Bahrain to the Technical School,
and the State four. One boy was sent privately.
(A) Building.—The short jetty at the Customs wharf which was commenced
last year was finished, and provides a landing place for shallow draft boats at all
stages of the tide except low water.
The new prison was finished, and it is the pride of Kuwaitis that it is empty
except for a few madmen. The Political prisoners are still kept in Mubarak’s
dungeon.
A comparatively handsome building to house the Municipal offices was
finished.
(i) Imperial Airways.—Aeroplanes ceased to call from the early part of the
year.
(j) Post and Telegraphs.—In January, Messrs. Cable and Wireless concluded
negotiations with the Shaikh for the taking over of the Post and Telegraph office
after the completion of a wireless station. A telephone system is also to be installed.
By the end of the year a considerable amount of material had been collected,
but the work of the installation had not commenced. A start in training three
Kuwaitis to act later as operators was made. The land-line continued to be fre­
quently interrupted and this, together with administrative orders issued from
Baghdad without regard to the Kuwait authorities, all pointed to the desirability
of the speedy establishment of a British Post Office.

(k) Commercial.—The Sand and Shingle Contract was renewed between Yusuf
A1 Ghanim and the Anglo Iranian Oil Co., at increased rates. The Shaikh receives
a royalty of Rs. 5-8-0 on each soodrum of sand, and Rs. G-8-0 of shingle.

V.—DESERT INTERESTS.
Security in the desert remained good. Owing to the lack of rain severe hard­
ship was felt by the bedouin though their lot was ameliorated a little by the re­
opened facilities for Musabala (i.e.} marketing). A large number of sheep and goats
died through lack of grazing and water. Up to the end of the year the drought
(except for one rainfall) continued.

VI.—FOREIGN INTERESTS.
The Amir Saud, eldest son of Bin Saud, visited Kuwait in the early spring.
The relations between Kuwait and Iraq were not marked by any outstanding
incident.
VII.—DATE GARDENS.
In the spring His Majesty’s Government compensated the Shaikh and the
Subah for past taxation imposed by the Iraqi Government and for all future
taxation by paying a lump sum of £30,694.
Mir.3E.lD