Page 220 - The Postal Agencies in Eastern Arabia

Qatar used the Indian External Rupee (of 16 Annas; and, from
1957, of 100 Naye Paise) until 1966 when the Gulf Riyal (oi 100
Dirhams) was adopted.

In the early post-war years, following the resumption of operations
by the oil company, outgoing mail was sent to Bahrain for posting.
Mail from the Oil Company and its employees was sent to their office
in Manama, whilst the three or four other British residents used whatever
means might be available — usually by hand of the pilots of the oil
company or Gulf Aviation aircraft - to get their letters to Bahrain.
Mail was then franked with Bahrain stamps, cancelled with Bahrain date-
stamps, and its Qatar origin can only be recognised if the cover bears
details of the sender’s name.

V
r BT TSk TiUW-OCEAHIO AIR SLRVICS VIA 'lWttiU$££cAl39 *j£ jjTA »**!!
. ;Oi
I
VIA AIR MAIL

Part of a cover from Qatar posted in Bahrain in 1947.

Prior to April 1st, 1948, the stamps so used were those of India
i
overprinted “BAHRAIN” but, from that date, British stamps overprinted
“BAHRAIN” and surcharged in Annas and Rupees came into use.
The rapid development of the oil industry and the beginnings of an
immense financial boom in Qatar led to the need for a resident British
Political Officer, who was first appointed to Doha in mid-August 1949.
l
His private mail was initially sent to Bahrain in the Diplomatic Bag, and
was then handled by the Political Agency.

THE POLITICAL OFFICER’S POSTAL SERVICE

One of the articles of the 1916 treaty had provided for the
establishment of a Post Office and, following his appointment, the
Political Officer was authorised to open a postal service in Doha to
handle the rapidly-increasing volume of overseas mail. Accordingly, a

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