'Administration Report of the Persian Gulf Political Residency for the Years 1915-1919' [‎31v] (69/396)

52
PERSIAN GTJLF ADMINISTRATION REPORT
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pearls were despatched to Bombay for sale and export to America
Europe. In some instances extraordinary profits were made; one pearl
bought for Rs. 12,000 by a Kuwait merchant was subsequently sold by
hinTfor Es. 1,10,000, and another which cost Es. 19,000 fetched Es. 50,000.
Practically the whole balance of pearls in hand has now been disposed of.
The condition of Kuwait town in regard to crime is unchanged; there
have been no offences of any magnitude
Law and cnme. during 1915 and no disturbances worthy
of mention.
No epidemics occurred during the year under review and the general
health was, as usual, very good. Eye
Public Health. diseases, particularly in children, prevail
as in all Gulf ports ; these are the result of neglect, dust, and flies. _ Quarantine
arrangements have continued as before without hitch or untoward incident.
The Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. dispensary treated 2,831 patients during the year, a lesser
number than that treated in 1914 by 605. The decrease may be attributed to
the development of the Mission hospital with its superior arrangements.
The following rates of exchange were
xciange " maintained during 1915,
Maria Theresa dollars at Bs. 125 to 126 per 100.
Turkish Liras at Es. 13-12 per Lira.
Ptupees and English sovereigns at their fixed values of annas 16 and
Es. 3 5 respectively.
Work was carried on by Dr. Mylrea in the Mission hospital during the year
, T . . ,... . and was much appreciated. The relations
Mission of the Reformed Church of America. n/r-" 1 -. • li,
between the Missionaries and the Shaikh
and people of Kuwait have left nothing to be desired.
It has been decided to transfer the dep6t for coaling His Majesty's ships
Coal Dep6t . from Bushire to Kuwait, and a pier has
been erected at Bandar Sh^aikh, near the
Shaikh's coal house. Arrangements for the entertainment of a staff, etc,, are
under consideration : and it is hoped that the coal sheds will be set up before
long.
Nothing has occurred in connection with the Arms Traffic during the year,
Arms Trade. ? nd ^ reality of Sir Mubarak's efforts
in its suppression i^ more than ever
apparent,
The sympathy of Shaikh Sir M ubarak and his co-operation in the direction
The War. Public opinion regarding the war were
, x , , maintained during the year up to his
lamented decease at the end of November. In January, His Excellencv
presented a handsome donation of Es. 50,000 to British Eed Cross Eunds, and
m July not only complied promptly when asked to send boats to Bushire to
assist m landing British troops, but insisted on defraying all expenses connected
with the expedition. Again, later in the year, when a British aeroplane was
untortunately lost near the Euphrates north of Basrah, the Shaikh, in accord
ance with a request from the Army Commander, sent out search parties and
aecimea to accept any remuneration towards the expenditure thereby incurred
His energy m suppressing all anti-British talk in the town was untirino-*
Early in April, dunng the absence of the Shaikh at Mohammerah, it was
suspected that one Shaikh Muhammad Shangaiti, a Moorish doctor of religion
ZZ fnffhp 111 ^ a ^ W1 f? Kuwait territory. On his return His Excellency
sent for the Shangaiti and, having given him an interesting description of his
xelaaons wtth His Majesty's Government and the views he held with regard
o the Turks, informed him in forcible language that any further conduct of
froni Kuwa^Hvf f 1 ^ t0 ^ execlltion - ThG Shangaiti disappeared
iiom Kuwait forthwith and has not returned. The new Shaikh Jabir bin
fomlv'withal T 111 * 11 t0 S ^ ort } xs J n this ^Pect and has recently dealt
ti i y with a Persian resident of Kuwait who was found to be writing to
Inends elsewhere giving unfayourable views of allied prospects and situations.