File 451/1913 Pt 2 'Koweit Water Supply' [‎78v] (154/154)

understand that the Government of Bombay From c. 1668-1858, the East India Company’s administration in the city of Bombay [Mumbai] and western India. From 1858-1947, a subdivision of the British Raj. It was responsible for British relations with the Gulf and Red Sea regions. have sunk many artesian wells m
various districts of the Presidency The name given to each of the three divisions of the territory of the East India Company, and later the British Raj, on the Indian subcontinent. , and perhaps some reliable information and
expert opinion could be obtained from it. _ •
9 It will be seen from the Shaikh’s letter that he is quite agreeable to the
whole work being carried out by Government as a Government concern, with its
own officers to remain indefinitely in charge and the enterprise to continue in
Government’s hands. In this case he would fix a regular rate, calculated to make
the plant self-supporting, at which the water would be sold, profit or loss owing
o fluctuating demand falling on Government On the score of efficiency there
is no doubt that some such arrangement would be an advantage particularly if
a condensing plant is decided upon. The Shaikh is equally agreeable to the work
being executed by Government or by contractors under Government supervision
on his behalf, and being then handed over to him at its cost price ; all he asks in
that ease is that he may be permitted to pay the bill by suitable instalments.
10 The point which the Shaikh’s letter does not make very clear is the urgent
necessity for the work, for I know that he contemplates it being possible to have
a water-supply by one of the methods suggested in full working order by next April
or May ; and it is true that, when the pearl-boats leave for next year s season, this
town will suffer to a degree not experienced hitherto Irom the want of water.
Further the Shaikh is convinced that he must make some adequate arrangement
for a proper water-supply at once, he does not care at what cost as the necessity
is so great and he can see no way out of the difficulty without the assistance
of Government. He therefore leaves it entirely to us to make what arrangements
we think best for a permanent supply, knowing that he can make no suggestions
in so technical a matter which are likely to be of any use.
11 I would solicit, therefore, your earnest support towards assisting the Shaikh
in this matter in which he has shown so enlightened a public spirit, and particularly
in order that the project may be taken in hand at as early a date as possible. Per
haps Government would be prepared to depute an officer with the necessary ex
perience of artesian wells to visit Kuwait for a preliminary investigation on the
spot, after which it may be possible so to expedite the work as to realize m part,
if not entirely, the Shaikh’s desire that some plant should be in working order
by the beginning of next summer.
Translation of a letter, dated the 28th Zul-al-Kaada 1330 (9th November 1912), froin
Shaikh Sir Mubarak-as-Subah, Ruler of Kuwait, to Lieutenant-Colonel Sir
Percy Cox, K. C. I. E., C.S.L, 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. .
After Compliments—
We would represent to your High Honour that I, your friend and (am) depend
ent on the regard of the Precious Government upon me and upon my home-land,
(which regard) has increased our town of Kuwait with inhabitants and popula
tion and I see all that, that it is from the counsels (utterings) of the Precious Gov
ernment, May God assist it with Glory and Fortune and make us suitable to the
gaining of its approval.
I beg from the Precious Government, through your High Honour, assistance
for us in the bringing of water for our town, (wdiich, as we have represented, is
troubled from the shortage of sufficient water); we bring it from the Shatt-al-Arab
and it is insufficient and there happen difficult winds to the boats and they are
delayed ; and the wells do not suffice and we are much worried over water and we
ask the help of the Precious Government by one of two methods which may bring
out water for us, whichever may be best in your view, either a machinery plant for
making it from sea-water or by digging which may produce water from the earth.
And when your Honour decides on one of these two ways, if the Precious Govern
ment orders there should be an officer from them we would put a fixed price on a
kerosine-tin or if it should be to me your dependent the cost should be upon me in
instalments such as you may approve. Without the help of the Government
upon us in bringing water we will be worried about water and we have represented
the details to your Honour, and we ask benevolence of the kindness of the Govern
ment to our help for this object and we expect kindness and benevolence.
This (is what was necesary) and the order is with you.
G. M. Press, Simla.— No. C.600 F. D.—12.12-12.—44.—J.N.B.