Page 385 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (IV)_Neat

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In February His Excellency Shaikh Ali bin Abdulla A1 Thani, Ruler of Qatar, paid an official
visit to the country. During the five days which he spent in Bahrain lie visited schools, hospitals,
Municipalities and electric installations.
The occasion was the first time that a ruler of Qatar had visited Bahrain in almost twenty
years and it was significant of the recent renewal of friendly relations between the two countries.
II. E. Nuri Said, Prime Minister of Iraq, with H. E. Dr. Dhia Jaafar, Minister of Communica­
tions, came on an unofficial visit in February.
Other visitors included several of the rulers of the Trucial Coast Shaikhdoms, foreign diplomats
from the Middle East and two ships of the Indian Navy.
British Officials.—The following British officials in ITis Highness’ service went on leave to
the United Kingdom during the year; Mr. C. Dalrymple Belgrave, Adviser to the Bahrain Govern­
ment, Dr. R. H. B. Snow, State Medical Officer, Mr. Donald Brammer, State Engineer, Mr. Stanley
Hills, Officcr-in-Chargc of Public Works.
Appointments and Resignations.—Dr. J. D. Grant was appointed Quarantine Medical
Officer to the Bahrain Government.
I Miss M. Dowds, who had been appointed for medical work in the Girls’ Schools, resigned her
post as Nursing Sister owing to ill health.
Cinemas.—Another large cinema was opened during the year bringing the number of cinemas
in Bahrain up to six, five being in Manamah and one in Muharraq. The people of Bahrain have taken
to cinemas with avidity, a year or two ago only the towns people frequented them but the cinema
habit has now spread to the villagers who come into Manamah by bus in order to visit cinemas. Bahrain
is the only state in the Gulf where public cinemas arc allowed.
i Cold Storage Scheme.—Plans for the formation of a Company to operate a Cold Storage in
which the Government and Messrs. Charles Kendall & Partners, the Government’s purchasing agents
in London, would have a large interest, were under discussion during the year. There is need for
such an undertaking which would make it possible for ships as well as the local inhabitants to purchase
fresh meat and other commodities in Bahrain. Supplies of meat and vegetables arc at present in­
sufficient to allow sales outside the country.
Scrap Metal.—Quantities of scrap metal were exported from Bahrain during the year. The
principal buyers were merchants from Kuwait. This trade, besides being financially beneficial, has
removed a number of unsightly dumps where discarded cars had been deposited.
Bahrain Chamber of Commerce.—For some years there has existed in Bahrain an organisa­
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tion known as the Merchants’ Association which was supposed to represent the commercial interests
of the country. It was not in fact a representative body as it included neither of the Banks, nor any
of the British commercial houses and some of the most important local firms were not members of
the Association. At the beginning of the year the Government held several meetings of the leading
merchants, including the representatives of British firms, and discussed with them the advisability
of setting up a Chamber of Commerce. The rules and regulations of other Chambers of Commerce,
including Aden, Basra, etc., etc., were obtained and examined. A committee was appointed to draw
up a set of rules for a Bahrain Chamber of Commerce, these were approved by the Government and
the first office holders and committee were chosen.
Anniversary.—On 31st March the Adviser to the Government completed 25 years service
in Bahrain.
FINANCE
Revenue and Expenditure.—The income of the State in 1370 was 251J lakhs, about 81
lakhs more than the revenue in 1369. Most of the increase was derived from oil royalties and customs
revenue, it included the oil royalty for the whole year at the rate of Rs. 10 per ton, whereas in 1369