Page 283 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (II)_Neat

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The overside deliveries of Direct Transhipment Cargo shown above
sufficiently indicate the importance of this port as a distributing centre for the
Arabian mainland. The deliveries by the Paciiio-Java-Silver, the Isthmian, the
Hansa, and the Lloyd-Triestino Linos, aggregating 1,24,339 packages, may justly
bo regarded as material and stores for the C.A.S.O.C. on the mainland; while the
balance, i.e. practically two-thirds of the total, would be for usual commercial
purposes As the steamers’ callings at Ras Tanura increase, it may be assumed
that this quantity will decrease.

The system of issuing free manifests for cargo borne in Native Craft to the
mainland ports of Saudi-Arabia is still maintained, and appears to be appreciated
locally; but the arrangement for its reciprocation does not seem to be so well carried
out. Complaints are heard of discrimination on the mainland in their Customs’
assessments between import brought by Bahrain subjects and their own nationals.
Complaints are also heard of Bahrain Craft Registration certificates being destroyed
by Iranian Government officials.

1. Accidents within the Port. On 3rd March 1939 (12th Muhurrum 1358) in
a shumal storm, a local joliboat was sunk in the neighbourhood of Sheriba, and one
person was drowned. The body was brought to shore, and interred.
2. In the same storm a local joliboat laden with 750 bags of cement, cargo
delivered overside, intended for Al-Khobar, foundered in the Khor near Maharaq,
and became a total loss.
3. On 10th November, 1939 (27th Ramadhan 1358) a safior named
Fakuda aboard s.s. “Akagisan Maru” was struck in the back of his neck by a bag of
cement falling from its sling. This Japanese was brought to The American Mission
Hospital for treatment, but died on the 12th December, 1939 (2nd Shawal, 1358).
4. On the night of 15-16 January, 1940 (6th Dhul Haj 1358), an unusually
heavy storm struck a local craft loaded for Jubail, with 400 tins of kerosene oil and
300 bags of rice, and broke its anchor cables, so that the craft was wrecked near the
Customs Pier. One of the crew was saved from drowning by a local 6ailor, but
another was drowned. The craft and its cargo became a total loss.
5. Accident* outside the Port. In the same storm a Kuwaity boom foundered
in the neighbourhood of Ras Tanura, and three passengers aud one of the crew
perished. The boom was later salvaged with great difficulty, and brought to
Bahrain for re-conditioning; and it has now returned to Kuwait.

6. Establishment. During the past year the number of clerks employed was
twenty-two, also two apprentices, who drew salaries and allowances amounting to
Rs. 41,784 , a slight increase upon the previous year on account of regular annual
increments. The menials numbered thirty-nine, who drew Rs. 13,083 in wages.
This staff dealt with the receiving, handling, and delivery of 8,28,245
packages of dutiable cargo, with the maintenance of the necessary records therefor,
including a largo volume of statistical reports for the service of the Political Agency.
The duty-free imports by the Bahrain Petroleum Coy., Ltd., were also dealt with.
In all, nine thousand five hundred and thirty-two Bills of Entry, five thousand
seven hundred and six Shipping Bills, and one thousand nine hundred and four
Direct Transhipment Bills were lodged for payment of duty and the relative
appraisement.
The institution of the Food Control system has given additional work to the
Customs Department without any inorease in staff.
Fv.motion.. There is no import or export duty upon
specie or bunion'Tnd a considerable amount passes through Bahrain especially