'Administration Reports 1925-1930' [‎193r] (390/418)

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actions, this Force did an immense amount of liarm to onr prestige, and their de
parture was hailed with profound relief by the whole of the British community.
Post Office. —This Post Office does not deliver letters at the residence of ad
dressees. During the year 4,499 registered letters were received and 4,097 des
patched a slight reduction on last year's numbers. 4,991 parcels were received and
489 despatched and Rs. 9,055 worth of stamps sold.
Cash certificates worth Rs. 775 were sold and none discharged. British Postal
Orders of the value of Rs. 705 were sold and Rs. 3-5-0 paid. Savings Bank deposits
amounted to Rs.34,936 an advance on last year, and Money Orders for Rs. 1,69,250
were issued and Rs. 4,379 paid.
Judicial.—The number of Civil suits filed in the Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. were 1,957, an increase
of 25% on last year, and criminal cases 350, an increase of over 15%. The total
number of petitions registered were 2,584 as compared with 1,949 during the past
year. The year was a record one both from the point of view of cases heard and
fees collected, and the latter more than pay for the whole of staff except the Political
Agent. An extra clerk has been applied for to cope with the extra work, and with
out his assistance it will be impossible to carry on.
Medical. —Assistant Surgeon R. Holmes proceeded on leave and was replaced
by Dr. N. C. Todd. Mrs. Todd died on the 11th September from heart failure.
The total number of cases were :—
1930. 1929.
Outdoor patients .. .. .. .. .. 9,153 7,289
Indoor patients .. .. .. .. .. 257 276
Major and Minor operations .. .. .. 435 787
An influenza epidemic raged in the first part of the year, and further deaths
occurred at Galali from malaria.
Some progress was made with vaccination and the population seem to becom
ing aware of its advantages.
Dr. and Mrs. Holmes returned on the 14th December. Dr. Holmes is very
popular and it is entirely due to his influence that Bahama women are beginning to
make use of the hospital. They are Shiahs and will not go to the Mission hospital
if they can possibly avoid it.
The American Mission maintains two hospitals, one for men and one for women.
In spite of the frequent absences of Dr. Dame the former had 31,884 cases, including
481 in-patients and 366 and 439 major and minor operations respectively.
The women's hospital had 8,308 cases 255 in-patients and 125 major and
minor operations. The departure of Dr. Rothchaefer had a bad effect on this hospital
as the new Lady Doctor does not inspire the same confidence.
Visits of Government Officials. —The Hon'ble Lieutenant-Colonel H. V. Biscoe,
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. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , accompanied by Major T. C. W. Fowle and
Air Vice-Marshal Sir Robert and Lady Brooke Popham arrived at Bahrain on the
4th February, leaving by the Patrick Stewart the same day.
Colonel Biscoe also visited Bahrain on the 31st June and 17th July, in the first
case by Southampton and in the second by the Cyclamen. The Cyclamen received
a severe buffeting on her way from Ras-al-Khaimeh to Bahrain.
He paid a final visit to Bahrain from the 8th to 11th November accompanied
by Mr. Blanch in the Patrick Stewart and the Senior Naval Officer in the Patrick
Stewart.
Captain R. L. O'Connor, officer on special duty, paid two visits to Bahrain
staying about five weeks with 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. .
Captain Prior paid two visits to Qatar in the year and also visited the main
land.
Two Persian Shaikhs, Shaikh Muhammad al Hurm and Shaikh Madhkur of
Gaobandi visited Bahrain during the year. The former came to borrow money off
Shaikh Hamad and the latter to collect debts due to him. Both asked the Political
Agent for British help and both were told that nothing could be done to help them.
]\1 C 171 F. D.