'Administration Reports 1920-1924' [‎120r] (244/412)

PEBSIAN GULF POLITICAL RESIDENCY An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. , 1922.
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Bazaars have been widened and improved. The town is in urgent need of a
water supply. At present all drinking water is brought in from a long
distance at high cost. The Municipality are also desirous of inducing private
enterprise to open an electric power station. The only obstacle to the execution
of these two very necessary improvements is the conservatism of the aged
Ruler, who declines to allow them to be introduced, although he has not been
called upon for any financial or other assistance.
Medical.—TYiv services of Assistant Surgeon J. Woodsell were acquired
for the Victoria Memorial Hospital, which has greatly improved in efficiency
and popularity since his arrival. The hospital building is in urgent need of
repair for which, however funds have not been available. Small-pox has been
prevalent most of the year in a mild form. An epidemic of Influenza occurred
during the hot season.
Climate. —The rainfall in the spring of 1922 was above the average and
grazing was unusually good in the interior of Manameh Island. The autumn
rains entirely failed. The hot season was milder than that of 1921.
Tearl Fisheries. —The results from the average pearl fishing were those of
a normal year. There was an unexpected revival of the pearl trade and the
large stock of pearls which had accumulated owing to the depression of late
years was entirely disposed of. Selling prices showed an advance of from 30
per cent, to 40 per cent, on those of 1921. A single pearl found by a Bahrain
boat sold for one lakh One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees of rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. .
In connection with the pearl trade a Monsieur Ruben, a French Jew
accompanied by his Secretary Mademoiselle Marcelle, visited Bahrain and
remained for several months. A representative of Messrs. Rosenthal also
visited the Islands and purchased pearls to the value of about thirty lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees .
The Sultan of flajd. —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. visited Ojair in March on
behalf of the Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. who was unable to go, and presented the
insignia of the O.I.E. to Shaik Bin Jiluwi, Amir of Hassa, in the presence of
a large gathering of notables.
T1 e 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. accompanied His Excellency the High Commissioner
for Iraq to Ojair on November 28th and met the Sultan of Najd. The terms
of a treaty defining the boundary between Najd and Iraq were drawn up by
His Excellency the High Commissioner and were accepted by His Highness
the Sultan. Mr. Holmes represent fng London Einancial interests visited the
Sultan at Hassa about the same time and obtained a concession for the exploita
tion of oil and minerals throughout the province of Hasa, an area of about
thirty thousand miles.
Ruler of Shaik Abdulla bin Qasim A1 Thani visited Bahrain
in October. In the course of a private interview Tvith 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. he
expressed apprehension of the increasing power of the Sultan of Najd, whose
influence with disaffected persons within his dominions was causing him
uneasiness. He was particularly anxious for a gift of guns from Government
to increase his prestige which appears to have considerably decreased.
"Persian pretensions to Bahrain. —A campaign has been conducted in the
Persian Press, with the object of urging the Persian Government to revive the
claim to Sovereignity over Bahrain. Some of the articles appear to have been
inspired by a few malcontents in Bahrain who designate themselves the
"Nationalist Party." At the recent Postal Conference held at Busbire a
Persian delegate, while not at the moment pressing for the Bahrain post
office to be handed over, intimated that his attitude was without prejudice to
the Persian claim to Bahrain.
Honours and Awards. —The insignia of the following decorations were
awarded to the persons named during the year : —
C. S. I. to Shaik Hamad bin Easa.
M. B. E. to Khan Sahib Yusuf bin Ahmad Kanoo, K.I.H.
Khan Bahadur to Abdul ziz Qosaibi, kcal agent of the Sultan of
Najd.
Khan Sahib to Abdur man Ziyani and to Assistant Surgeon
Monani.
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