Page 487 - Bahrain Gov Annual Reports (IV)_Neat

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Distinguished Visitors and Visits.—During the year His Highness Shaikh Abdulla Salem
as Subah, the Ruler of Kuwait, visited Bahrain twice. Both visits were the occasions for much
public and private entertaining.
On April 2nd H.R.H. the Amir Abdul Ilah, Regent of Iraq, accompanied by H.E. General
Nuri Said, Prime Minister of Iraq, and other Ministers and court officials visited Bahrain in the
Government Yacht. The ship anchored a short distance from the customs pier and the party
lived on board, coming ashore on frequent occasions. There was a public reception at the
Quadabiya Palace followed by a luncheon parly and a large dinner was given by His Highness
at the Rafaa Palace to which representatives of all communities were invited. During his stay
H.R.H. visited schools, hospitals and places of interest in the vicinity of Manama. He, with
some of his suite, left Bahrain by air for London, others of the party returned by sea to Basra.
This was the first occasion on which a member of the royal family of Iraq has visited Bahrain.
H.R.H. conferred on His Highness Shaikh Sulman the Order of the Rafidain, first class,
and on His Highness’s uncles, Shaikh Mohammed bin Isa AI Khalifahand Shaikh Abdulla bin
Isa Al Khalifah and on His Highness’s sons, and on the Adviser, the same order, second and
third class.
In September His Highness paid a visit to Kuwait travelling there and back by air in an
aircraft which was provided by the R.A.F. He took with him members of his family and
several leading merchants. The visit was the first paid to Kuwait by His Highness since the
accession of the present Ruler.

Shaikh Khalifah binMohamed Al Khalifah spent some weeks in the United States, and, on
the way back visited England. He was the guest of the Bahrain Petroleum Company.
A group of British members of Parliament paid a short visit to Bahrain during a Middle
East tour which they were making under the auspices of Mr. Emil Bustani, a prominent
Lebanese politician and business man.
Sub-Inspector Sulman binJabr of the State Police did a course at the Police Training School
at Hendon.
Mr. Ahmed Omran and Lady Belgrave attended a conference on educational matters
which was held by the British Council at Basra.

Local Press.—During the year two more local newspapers made their appearance, both
being published and printed in Bahrain. The Government made it a condition that they
should submit the matter which they published to the Government for inspection. It was soon
found, however, that this arrangement was not satisfactory and consideration was given to the
need for a regulation to deal with the press.

Palestinians.—A number of Palestinians from India and from Iraq entered Bahrain, some
legally and some illegally. They were housed for many months in the “Orphanage” which is
still without orphan occupants but which is of use on occasions such as this. The behaviour of
these refugees in Bahrain did not contribute to rousing any sympathy for Palestinian refugees
as a class.
The Government contributed to the funds of the Mosque of Omar in Jerusalem, whose
income has been drastically depleted because much of the Waqf property is now in Israel, and
to Palestinian students in the Beirut University.

Pumps for Cultivators.—The Government made loans, without interest, to a number of
small cultivators to enable them to buy oil engine-driven pumps for irrigating their gardens.
Most of the pumps were set up over hand-dug surface wells.

Gulf Aviation.—The Government made a loan of 4 lakhs at 5 per cent, interest to the Gulf
Aviation Company in order to assist the Company to purchase a hanger.

Aerial Survey.—Messrs. Hunting Aero Surveys carried out an aerial survey of Muharraq
Island, the towns of Manama, Muharraq and Hidd and the northern portion of Bahrain
Island in the vicinity of Manama. Maps of the towns are to be made from the mosaics.
These had not yet been received at the end of the year.