"تقارير إدارية ١٩٣١-١٩٣٥" [و‎‎١‎٥‎٤] (٤١٦/٣٠٧)

57
5 Local Affairs.—{!) Communal bitterness between Sunnis and Slri’ahs
which Itad been quiescent for a, considerable time showed signs of revival due
to certain unfortunate incidents. No open breach of the peace, however,
occurred. ..Towards the end of the year the Bahrna, who are Shi’ah, presented
a petition to the Ruler demanding increased representation on the Municipal
Councils, and on the Majlis al Tujjarah, more schools for Shi’ahs and codifi
cation of the existing law. Their demands are receiving careful attention.
(2) One case of murder occurred in Muharraq towards the end of the year,
in which the victim was a prostitute.
The only other serious crime worth notice was that of a dacoity committed
in Zing. The dacoits who were armed with rifles looted a house removing
money and gold ornaments, and injured an old man.
(3) In spite of the vigilance of the Police illicit distillation and consump
tion of alcoholic spirits is increasing.
6. Bahrain Oil Concession.—During the year The Bahrain Petroleum Com
pany Limited completed the construction of tanks on Sitrah Island, and the
laying of a submarine pipe-line from there to the deep sea moorings which are
three miles from the shore. On the 7th June the Tankship El Begun do left
Bahrain with the first shipment of approximately 3,300 tons of crude oil.
(2) Mr. E. A. Skinner, Chief Local Representative and Field Manager,
proceeded on leave on the 5th July. He was succeeded as Chief Local Re
presentative by Mr, J, M. Russell, Deputy Manager of the Mesopotamia Persia
Corporation Limited, and as Manager by Mr. F. A. Davies.
(2) Mr. R. H. Ballantyne, British Representative in London of The Bahrain
Petroleum Company Limited visited Bahrain in October and discussed various
matters connected with the Mining Lease of the Bahrain Oil Concession with
the Officiating Political Agent.
(4) Representatives of the British, American and Dutch Groups of the ’Iraq
Petroleum Conipanv Limited visited Bahrain in October. They were followed
a few days later by the representative of the French Group. Their visit was
apparently connected with the difficulty experienced by The Bahrain Petroleum
Company Limited in securing a market for Bahrain oil.
(5) On the 29th December the Mining Lease of the Bahrain Oil Conces
sion was sealed by His Excellency Shaikh Hamad bin ’Isa Al Eh a 1 if ah and
signed by Mr. J. M. Russell, Chief Local Representative, and Mr. F. A. Davies,
Manager, on behalf of the Company.
(6) On the 31st December the Company had in employment the following
nationalities :—
Class I
Class II
Class III
British
subjects.
Americans.
Bahrainis.
Others.
15
24
29
13
14
348
133
7. Artesian Wells .—Pursuant on the Bahrain Government’s order of March
a definite effort was made to control the excess of artesian waver ctnrmg
vis year. Despite an improvement the problems of excessive supply and
losquito breading swamp areas are still unsolved.
8. A (jricmlturc.—Nothing to report.
9 Cu s t oms Tim Customs revenue amounted to Rs. 6,11,890 as compared
ith Rs. 5,53,393 collected during the previous year. The increase is due to
nprceedentedlv large imports oi Japanese rice and the general expansion m
•ado following on the establishment of The Bahrain Petroleum Company
imited.
10 FaUing revenues have prevented the Municipalities of
ianamah and MuUarraq from undertaking original works and improvements
[ aiiv irrmnrtaiice Sanitation was maintained at its usual standard. _ lucie
ave been a few minor improvements to roads, and the Manama!, Municipality
»ofed in its principle bazaar.