'File 17/21 Purchase of a Pick up for the Trucial Coast' [‎50r] (99/254)

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to let me use one of the "nti-Locust vehicles on this trip, they
did not ayree as they demanded v/ritten permission from the
Anti-Locust Officer which I did not possess, and after some
reluctance, they agreed to let me have the yorris double gear
vehicle but it was reduced to a deplorable state of unfitness.
It had two punctures on the way, its fan belt broke, its petrol
pipe had to be cleaned up after every 5 miles 1 drive. The return
journey from Abu Dhabi took me 15 hours! But on the contrary,^
the pick-up did the journey without any incident. Secondly, it
is necessary to have two transports always so that if one breaks
down or is under repairs, the other one can be used.
I do not, therefore, advise the sale of the pick-up how
if the chances of obtaining a new pick-up are uncertain. If new
pick-ups do come onto the Bahrain market, I do not think any of
them will immediately find their way to the Trucial Coast A name used by Britain from the nineteenth century to 1971 to refer to the present-day United Arab Emirates. , so I
do not expect that prices here will fall considerably. If the
pick-up is sold now, it will fetch Bs. 8000/-. We can, however,
sell the pick-up if we are sure that we will be able to get a new
one after a fortnight or so of our parting with it.
I have recently had the pick-up properly overhauled,
its body,- engine and underneath parts painted and its upholstery
renewed. I have changed some worn-out parts of the engine T *dth
new ones which I obtained from the B.A.F. It is now in a fairly
good working condition. But unfortunately soon after that, during
a trip tb Dubai, its shaft broke. This was not the fault of the
car as the shaft was an old one and was bent. I have now received
the new shaft from Bahrain which I will have fitted on it.
The food situation an the Trucial Coast A name used by Britain from the nineteenth century to 1971 to refer to the present-day United Arab Emirates. is satisfactory
at present. I have opened barter for barley and it is coming in
substantial quantities. Our present stock of wheat is sufficient
for t' T o months and our sugar for 3 months. After your departure
I impressed on the Shaikhs to observe the strictest economy in the
consumption of foodstuff which they willingly did. Although the
Shaikh of Sharjah showed some reluctance, as he always does, I
succeeded in convincing him that these measures are in his own
and his people f s interest.
I allowed the sugar of Abu Dhabi which was withheld by
us as he was very helpful in a matter which I talked over with him.
After releasing the sugar, I watched whether it goes to Abu Dhabi
or not, and received reliable information that the sugar actually
arrived at Abu Dhabi.
I sent you some limes by courtesy of B.C.A.C. I hope
they arrived in good condition,
please let me know.
If you or the P.A. want any more