'Administration Report of the Persian Gulf Political Residency for the Years 1911-1914' [‎234r] (472/488)

FOE THE TEAR 1914.
59
CHAPTER XI.
ADMINI5TEATION REPORT FOR THE KUWAIT AGENCY An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. wyr
THE YEAR 1914.
The past year has been politically a memorable one in the history of
Kuwait, but economically it has unfortunately not been satisfactory. An
General. indifferent pearling season following upon
, . , , , , , ,, a on e in 1913, and the depression in
the trade accentuated by the outbreak of War in Europe, have combined to
prevent improvement in the general condition of the communitv The
rainfall was in excess of that of 19i3 being registered at 4 inches 73 cents,
but a plague of locusts m March and April, which destroyed every rjreen thin?
for many miles round, counteracted the effect of the rainfall and led to a laree
increase m the price of fodder. °
Much additional land has been, acquired during the year on the seashore
both east and west of the town, but building has been suspended on the nart
of the majority of the purchasers owing to lack of funds.
The Customs management throughout the year has been excellent
The inconvenient practice of allowing goods to be released on bond without
Customs. production of a delivery order
furnished to the Consignees by the
Steamer s Agents which has occasioned so much trouble in the past both in
Kuwait and elsewhere has ceased, and no complaints of importance have
been made against the Director or his subordinates at any time. Labour prices
are high in Kuwait in comparison with certain other places in the Persian
Gulf, this is due mainly to the necessity of employing imported labour in
view of the disinclination or inability of the local people to work satis
factorily.
The investigations of Mr. Pascoe in connection with well borings which
were mentioned in last year's report having resulted in such a scheme being
Water Supply. abandoned, that of the institution of
a {condensing plant was taken up
and arrangements have been concluded for its early establishment. The
work is to be undertaken by the Anglo-Persian Oil Company and the
Government of India have advanced the necessary funds to the Shaikh without
interest, to be repaid in instalments from the sums accruing from the sale of
water. It is hoped that an ample supply of good drinking water will now be
always available at a cheaper rate than that at which the &hatt-el-Arab river
supplies are at present disposed of. Should funds admit improvements in the
direction of distribution in the town will be introduced later.
Postal arrangements have on the whole been satisfactory throughout
the year, but the delay in ratification of the Anglo-Turkish Convention,
Posts ana Telegraphs. and subsequently [the outbreak of War,
caused the suspension 01 the arrange
ments regarding the long hoped for Kuwait Post Offices. Its institution
is now imminent however, as is believed to be that of a wireless telegraphy
station in the port.
The anniversary of the birthday of His Majesty the King-Emperor was
celebrated as usual on June 22nd. Alms were distributed to the poor and
Celebrations a rece pti 011 was bold by the Political
e e ra 10US ' Agent in the evening which was
largely attended. On the Muhammadan feast days the Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. paid
congratulatory visits to the Shaikh, his relations, and many of the principal
inhabitants.
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