Page 274 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (IV)_Neat

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Kuwait in II.M.S. "Wild Goose." His Highness was accompanied by his sons, one of his brothers
and several Bahrain notables.
British Olllcials.—During the summer Mr. G. W. R. Smith, M.B.E., Director of Customs,
Mr. G. B. Thompson, Government Oil Inspector, Dr. I. M. A. Doeg, Lady Doctor, Miss R.G. A. Maquirc,
Matron, Government Hospital and Mr. L. Harris, Assistant to the Officcr-in-Chargc, Public Works
Department, were on leave. Mr. D. L. Rixon was appointed Assistant to the Government Oil
Inspector and took up his duties on 21st June, 1950.
Air France Disasters.—On the nights of 13th and 15th of June at almost identical hours,
under very similar conditions, two Air France passenger aeroplanes crashed into the sea within about
a mile from each other as they were arriving in Bahrain. This double tragedy, one of the worst air
disasters ever known, gave Bahrain much unwanted publicity. The State Police took an active part
in the rescue work and some of the members of the crews and passengers who were rescued were cared
for in the Government Hospital. In the two crashes 83 people lost their lives and 13 were saved.
“ The Voice of Bahrain.”—Bahrain used to have a weekly newspaper which was published
during the war but it came to an end when its editor died. A new monthly periodical, published in
Arabic, edited by a committee of young men, came into being, with the approval of the government,
during the year. This magazine, " The Voice of Bahrain ” is intended to be non-political. Its first
issues contained articles of more or less general interest as well as poems.
Jewish Exodus.—The Jewish community in Bahrain, which numbered in the past about 300
persons, consisting of Jewish families who came originally from Iraq and Persia, was long established
in the country. Most of the Jews traded in piece-goods and gold. They were, on the whole, quiet
law abiding people. Many of them were Bahrain subjects by birth or had obtained Bahrain nationality.
During 1369 about 29 families out of the 43 families who lived in Manamah, left the country and went
to Palestine, via Bombay. No pressure was put on them to leave Bahrain but, apparently, they
were attracted by the possibilities of life in Israel. It is understood that a number of the Bahrain
Jews after spending a short time in Israel much regretted that they had gone there and now desire to
return to Bahrain.
Khalifah Committee.—Towards the end of the year His Excellency Shaikh Abdulla bin Isa
and Shaikh Ibrahim bin Mohammed Al-Khalifah resigned from the Khalifah Committee over which
the former had presided since the committee began to function. His Highness Shaikh Sulman took
over the duties of Shaikh Abdulla. The committee deals with all matters concerning the ancestral
property of the Ruling Family. One of its principal objects was to ensure that Khalifah property was
retained in the family. Of late years the committee has approved of numerous sales of ancestral
property by members of the family.
British Banks.—The new premises of the British Bank of Iran and the Middle East were
opened by His Highness on 8th April, 1950. Work was commenced during the year on the new Eastern
Bank building adjacent to the present bank on the Manamah Sea Road. Both banks were-built by
Messrs. Holloway Brothers.
Gulf Aviation Company.—A Company known as the Gulf Aviation Company, registered in
England, was formed in Bahrain in the Spring. The Company operated services between Bahrain,
Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the Trucial Coast. The capital was subscribed by Arab and British residents
in Bahrain and Qatar and by the Government of Bahrain.
Deep Water Pier Project.—In April two of the partners of Messrs. Coode, Vaughan-Lee,
Frank and Gwyther, the firm of Consulting Engineers who were employed by the Government to advise
on the Manamah-Muharraq bridge, visited Bahrain in order to make a report for the Government on
the proposed deep water pier opposite Manamah. The report was not submitted to the Government
before the end of the year. The project is for a causeway some four miles long extending to the outer
roads of Bahrain harbour with a terminal pier providing berths for steamers. The construction of
this pier is the largest and most important undertaking which has ever been considered by the
Government.