'File 19/165 II (C 20) Bahrain Reforms' [‎37r] (88/494)

afidential
The Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. ,
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Bahrain.
/ j Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. Cl /
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SflSflBEITlA. iiCtifiM.
She 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. ,
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J-he Hon T ble the Political Hesident, - it'
Bushire, /u<
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ir ' Reforms in Bahrain. i ;
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have the honour to report that in accordance with the
instructions conveyed in your letter Wo 527-S of 24th September,!
have ftilly discussed the camel nuisance with Shaiks Hamad Abdulla.
A s was anticipated,! found Shaik Hamad very difficult to convince
that it is necessary to put some limit to the damage caused by these
animals, ^e was very loaths: to set a good example by lessening the
number of his own herd of came Is, put ting forth all sorts of ridiculoue
reasons,among others that it was necessary for him to always keep a
large number for presents to other Arab potentates. He had,howi¥»» to
admit,that since ! came to Bahrain ,he has given away hardly any,while
he has considerably added to his herd by breeding & by purchase.
After much discussion the proposals as set forth in the
attached document were agreed to,but are not to be brought into
force till approved by you.This at shaik Hamad's request as he said
it would be difficult to alter them wifargr after publishing the news,
should they not meet with approval.
•"one of the Shaiks ,although they agree to the limits im
posed as to numbers which may be kept in Bahrain,intend to dispose of
their herds ,but to keep them on the mainland with paid herdsman to
look after them# Shaik Abdulla has for some time past kept part of
his herd on the mainland as he finds it cheaper he uses them there
once a year for a hunting trip.
J-'here will,of course,be noone with sufficient authority to check the
numbers actually maintained by the Sheiks,& it will probsb ly devolve
on Political Agents to remind them,from time to time,of their obligat-