Page 2 - 0 observatory at Bahrain'_Neat

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Reference IOR/R/15/2/1689

Title 'File 22/1 I Miscellaneous correspondence regarding establishment of
observatory at Bahrain'
Date(s) 20 Jun 1927-28 Apr 1938 (CE, Gregorian)

Written in English and Arabic in Latin and Arabic script
Extent and Format 1 file (307 folios)
Holding Institution British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers

Copyright for document Unknown

About this record

The file comprises correspondence and other papers sent to and from the Bahrain Political Agency, relating to
the set-up and subsequent day-to-day running of a weather observatory in Bahrain. The file begins with a
letter from the head meteorologist of the India Meteorological Department in Karachi, addressed to the
Political Agent (20 June 1927), stating that the Government of India, in conjunction with the London-Karachi
Aviation Weather Service, wish to start an Upper Air Observatory at Bahrain (f 1). The Agent, liaising with
the British Adviser to the Bahrain Government (Charles Belgrave) confirms that land adjacent to the existing
telegraph office is available. He confirms that accommodation for the two weather observers is available in
town (f 3).

Correspondence throughout the remainder of the file relates to the ongoing maintenance and running of the
observatory. A number of themes are repeated through the file, which can be summarised as follows: the rent of
land and buildings for the observatory, and accommodation for the observers; arrangements for the delivery of
equipment and correspondence from India, and duty to be paid at the Bahrain customs house; medical
requirements of and health checks for the observatory staff; periodic repairs to the observatory premises;
damage to and theft of observatory equipment; misuse and appropriation of observatory land; proposals to erect
fencing around observatory land; recruitment of local labour to manufacture weather balloons.

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