Page 92 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (II)_Neat
P. 92

10

                           The average looal prioea were as follows :—
                                                     1366                1366
                           Sherin                  Rs. 60 chow          Rs. 60 chow.
                           Badlah                      4 „                  4 „
                           Golwa                      16 „                 16 „
                           Na’m                       24 „                 20/8 „
                           From these figures it appears that the price of good quality pearls   was
                     20% higher than during last year, medium quality pearls did not change and seed
                     pearls (Na’m) fell in price, The 50% increase in the value of the catch was
                     partly owing to increase in price of good quality pearls, of which many were found
                     but mainly owing to the unusually large quantity of pearls which were found.
                           For the industry in general it would have been more satisfactory if world
                     prices had improved instead of the local catch increasing.
                           It should be remembered that the figures which are given in this note from
                     which I prepare a report are the rock bottom figures representing the money paid
                     to the divers themselves by the boat owners.                        1
                           Before the pearls leave Bahrain and between the time they leave Bahrain and
                     reach their final owners they pass through innumerable hands, each time increasing
                     in price.

                                       Police and Public Security.
                                            The State Police.

                           Strength. The strength of the Police on 30-12-37 was as follows
                                 Havildars                                     3
                                 Naiks                                         5
                                 Lance Naiks                                   17
                                Policemen, including band                    175
                                 Recruits in training                         31
                                 Indian instructors ...                        5
                                 Camp followers                                11

                           The force was increased by 49 men during the year in order to cope with
                     various extra duties and posts such as the additional guards on the Bahrain Petroleum
                     Company’s Refinery which is paid for by the Company), the outpost in Hawar fort
                     where naturs have been replaced by police and extra men on traffic duty on main
                     roads. In spite of the increase it is rarely possible to muster more than fifty men on
                     daily parades.
                           Routine and duties. During the first part of the year the Police carried out
                     their normal duties and training; but for some months during the time of the Zubara
                     disturbances large numbers of police were occupied by special duties patrolling the
                     coast and garrisoning the southern villages where it was thought possible that an
                     attack might be made by mainland Arabs. In addition to land duties parties of
                     police in motor launches patrolled the coast from Manamah to the south of Bahrain.
                           Each section of the Police Force completed a musketry course during the
                     year and competed for the shooting shield presented by Colonel Gordon Loch, C.I.E.
                     Shooting competitions were held between the police and a naval team from
                     H. M. S. “ Bideford ” in which the police team obtained more points than the Navy.
                           Two route marches, lasting five days, were carried out by the Police in the
                     spring and in the autumn. The police camped at various different villages. Transport
                     was provided by the Police lorry and pick-up.
   87   88   89   90   91   92   93   94   95   96   97