Page 705 - PERSIAN 8 1931_1940_Neat

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Preparations arc in train for the commencement of No. 3 Well, a few kilometres
North of No. 1.
(/>) Staff.-—On an average, personnel in Qatar consisted of some
8 British.
5 Americans.
28 Indians (clerks, artizans servants).
300 Qataris.
These figures do not include Bahrain staff,
2 British.
12 Indians (clerks and servants).
20 Bahrainis (clerks, peons, launch crews),
employed for the most part on Qatar services as Bahrain is and must ho for some
time to come the base, port and link with the outside world for parties operating
in Qatar.
Qataris are at present being trained as drivers, rig workers and in semi-skilled
labour of various kinds.
There is no literate class and the clerical staff is almost entirely Indians.

The Qatari worker is on the whole willing and amenable to camp discipline
and gives singularly little trouble.
This satisfactory state of affairs is somewhat marred by the heir-apparent and
other Arab officials whose control of recruitment is guided by personal greed. Co­
operation with the Government (in effect the Shaikh, the heir-apparent and the
•Shaikh’s Adviser on Foreign Affairs) in employment matters is essential at this
stage as there is no law nor order apart from the Shaikh and his bodyguard, and
no other approacli to the labour market would be countenanced.
Apart from the annual concession payment to the Shaikh the Qatar people
themselves benefited to the extent of some three lakhs of rupees in cash, spent by the
Company in Qatar during 1940. 2| lakhs was expended in Bahrain for Qatar
operations.
(c) Qatar Terminal Survey.—In December 1940 a short preliminary examina­
tion of the coastal waters of the east coast of Qatar was made with a view to
locating a “ terminal ” future oil export.
(d) Water.—To date no potable artesian water has been located and as has
been previously reported geological opinion rules out the possibility of any sub­
stantial supplies becoming available.
2. Trucial Coast Exploration.—Owing to conditions created by the war
to send geological and geophysical parties to the Trucial Coast in 1940 were cancelled
and the various Rulers notified to this effect. In all cases the Rulers replied that
the reasons for postponement were fully appreciated, and hopes for an early British
victory were expressed.
22. Foreign Interests .—Mr. H. A. Paul Knabcnshuo, United States Minister
for ’Iraq, arrived here on the 24th March accompanied by tho United States Vice-
Consul at Baghdad, Mr. W. J. Porter, The Political Agent took him to visit tho
Shaikh of Bahrain on the 26th March. The Minister left for A1 Khobar on the
27th whence he intended to travel by land to Kuwait.
23. Persian Gulf Fighter Fund.—On December 31st, 1940, the receipts
amounted to Rs. 22,180 and £76 6 0. 1