Skip to item: of 619
Information about this record Back to top
Open in Universal viewer
Open in Mirador IIIF viewer

Concessions in Bahrein [Bahrain], Kuwait, &c: correspondence, 1932-Jul 1933 (Colonial Office Secret Print, Middle East No.49) [‎46r] (93/284)

The record is made up of 1 file (140 folios). It was created in 1932-Jul 1933. It was written in English. The original is part of the British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .

Transcription

This transcription is created automatically. It may contain errors.

Apply page layout

(Confidential.)
No. 89 of 1351.
Office of the Adviser to the Government of Bahrein,
Dated, Dil Haj 27, 1351.
Sir , 22nd April, 1933.
I have the honour to refer to your C/146 dated 7th i ^pril, 1933, enclosing a
letter dated 4th April, 1933, from the Chief Local Representative of the Bahrein
Petroleum Company, who applies for an extension of the prospecting licence for one
year and who makes an alternative proposal.
The whole matter has been carefully considered by His Excellency Shaikh Hamad
and it has been discussed very fully with Shaikhs Mohomed, Abdullah, and Sulman.
The opinion which was finally arrived at is expressed in the enclosed letter addressed to
you bv His Excellency Shaikh Hamad.
jbriefly this government is not disposed to grant the extension of one year which it
considers it has the right to grant or refuse. The fact that last summer, when the
Company applied for an extension of two years, of which only one year was granted,
is taken as a definite indication that this Government has the right to grant or to refuse
such an application. If, however, this Government is informed by the British Govern
ment that according to the meaning of the Concession it is not within this Government's
power to withhold the extension then it will be reluctantly compelled to give way. It
is unwilling to grant this extension as it would result in postponing the increased pay
ments (Rs. 30,000/- per annum) which become due when the Company enters the
Mining Lease. If, however, the Government is definitely informed by you that its
attitude, which is based on its own interpretation of Clause IV, is tenable, it is then
prepared to allow the extension on conditions that the Company in return for being
given an extension, to which they have no definite right, make a loan to the Govern
ment from its future Royalties.
In the case of the Chief Local Representative's second proposal; this Government
is prepared to consider granting a mining lease over the second 100,000 acres if the
Company will pay a more adequate amount.
In both these matters His Excellency Shaikh Hamad is anxious to hear the opinion
of the British Government as soon as possible. The financial situation is at present
serious and it is likely to become more serious owing to the probable loss of the R.E.
trade and it would be a very great relief to His Excellency Shaikh Hamad if he could
count on an increase in the revenue of the State from payments from the Bahrein
Petroleum Company.
I have, &c.,
C. Dalrymple Belgrave,
Financial Adviser.
To His Britannic Majesty's 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. ,
Bahrein.
Bahrein, 25th Dil Haj 1351.
After Compliments :—
We have received your letter No. C/146 dated 7th April, 1933, addressed to the
Adviser, enclosing a letter from Major Frank Holmes, Chief Representative, Bahrein
Petroleum Co., Ltd. We are surprised at the absence of Major Holmes from Bahrein
during the discussion of such an important matter. We should be obliged if you would
inform the Honourable 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. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. of the following facts.
We understand that the Company wishes us again to extend the prospecting licence
for another year. The Company asked us last year to extend the prospecting licence
for two years and after considering their request we refused to extend it for two years,
but we agreed to extend it for one year, ending 2nd December, 1933, corresponding
with 14th Shaaban 1352.
It appears from the letter of Major Holmes that the Company considers that it has
the right to another year. Although we agree that the Company has carried out its work
to the best of its ability and without delay, we think that according to the meaning of
Article 4 of the Concession the Company has not the right to another year in case we
are not pleased to grant another year.
Article 4 of the Concession is as follows :—" The prospecting licence referred to
in the preceding Article may be extended for a further period of two years on the
Company's showing to the satisfaction of the Shaikh, acting on the advice 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. in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , that such an extension is justified."

About this item

Content

This file contains copies correspondence regarding the granting of oil concessions in Bahrain and Kuwait.

The correspondence is a mixture of internal correspondence between British officials (from the India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. , Colonial Office, Foreign Office and the Petroleum Department) and correspondence between British officials and Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the ruler of Bahrain and representatives from the Bahrain Petroleum Company Limited, the Eastern and General Syndicate Limited and the Anglo-Persian Oil Company.

The file is divided up as follows:

Bahrein [Bahrain]

1. Indenture between Shaikh of Bahrein and the Eastern and General Syndicate, Limited, dated 12th June, 1930. Conditions governing assignment of Concession to Bahrein Petroleum Company.

2. Eastern and General Syndicate's application for a further Concession in Bahrein.

3. Landing Grounds and Seaplane Station.

4. Areas covered by Prospecting Licence granted to Bahrein Petroleum Company on 28th November, 1931.

5. Employment of British Subjects by the Bahrein Petroleum Company.

6. Extension of Prospecting Licence granted to Bahrein Petroleum Company on 28th November, 1931.

7. Chief Local Representative of the Bahrein Petroleum Company

Kuwait

1. Applications of the Eastern and General Syndicate, Limited, and the Anglo-Persian Oil Company for an Oil Concession.

Extent and format
1 file (140 folios)
Arrangement

The file is divided up into two thematic sections. The correspondence within these sections is arranged chronologically. A table of contents is contained on folios 2-13

Physical characteristics

Condition: A printed pamphlet with bound pages.

Foliation: the foliation sequence is written in pencil, circled, and is located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio.

Written in
English in Latin script
View the complete information for this record

Use and share this item

Share this item
Cite this item in your research

Concessions in Bahrein [Bahrain], Kuwait, &c: correspondence, 1932-Jul 1933 (Colonial Office Secret Print, Middle East No.49) [‎46r] (93/284), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/R/15/1/749/1, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100035849169.0x00005f> [accessed 28 March 2024]

Link to this item
Embed this item

Copy and paste the code below into your web page where you would like to embed the image.

<meta charset="utf-8"><a href="https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100035849169.0x00005f">Concessions in Bahrein [Bahrain], Kuwait, &c: correspondence, 1932-Jul 1933 (Colonial Office Secret Print, Middle East No.49) [&lrm;46r] (93/284)</a>
<a href="https://www.qdl.qa/en/archive/81055/vdc_100035849169.0x00005f">
	<img src="https://iiif.qdl.qa/iiif/images/81055/vdc_100000000193.0x0002d6/IOR_R_15_1_749_0094.jp2/full/!280,240/0/default.jpg" alt="" />
</a>
IIIF details

This record has a IIIF manifest available as follows. If you have a compatible viewer you can drag the icon to load it.https://www.qdl.qa/en/iiif/81055/vdc_100000000193.0x0002d6/manifestOpen in Universal viewerOpen in Mirador viewerMore options for embedding images

Use and reuse
Download this image