Concessions in Bahrein [Bahrain], Kuwait, &c: correspondence, 1932-Jul 1933 (Colonial Office Secret Print, Middle East No.49) [‎58r] (117/284)

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the Eastern and General Syndicate was the 1st August, 1930, and from that date it
was incumbent upon them to maintain a Chief Local Representative. From that date
up to the present Major Frank Holmes has been in Bahrein for 6 months and 14 days.
SSS.'Sii 20 -"-
11th November, 1931. 5 months
24th April, 1932 [ 14 days.
Zw: 1932 10 days '
Thus in one year and eieven months Major Holmes has spent six months and fourteen
days in Bahrein, and he has now left for England again, and, I understand, does not
propose returning for three or four months. Therefore in about two and a-quarter
years he will roughly have spent six months in Bahrein.
It is clear that the Bahrein Petroleum Company are in no way fulfilling their
undertaking. Neither do I consider that so long as Holmes is their Chief Local
Eepresentative is it possible for them to do so, for he certainly cannot remain in
Bahrein throughout the year for a period of five years. I think we might accord
them a reasonable latitude in this respect, and that if their Chief Local Eepresentative
got away from Bahrein for, say, a couple of months in the height of the summer,
as 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. does, nothing need be said, but Holmes has, as you know,
other irons in the fire, and it is clear that he has no serious intention of spending
even a reasonable amount of time at Bahrein. Holmes has now written a letter to
Prior instructing him to send all correspondence for him to the Mesopotamia-Persia
Corporation, but does not mention whether this is correspondence in his capacity as
representative of the Bahrein Petroleum Company or of the Eastern and General
Syndicate, and Prior states that he finds it a little difficult at times to distinguish
between these two incarnations.
Hitherto the matter has not been one of much importance. The Bahrein Petro
leum Company has been engaged in preliminary operations, and there has been
little need for correspondence between them and the local authorities. Now, however,
they have struck oil and will presumably extend their operations, and it may be
anticipated that there will in the near future be many matters to arrange between the
Company and the Shaikh, and it seems essential that they should fulfil their undertaking
and maintain at all times a Chief Local Representative in Bahrein. I suggest, therefore,
that, if you concur with this view, the failure of the Company to fulfil their under
taking should be brought to their notice, and that it might be represented to them
that it is most improbable that a man of Major Holmes's age and physique can
possibly remain in Bahrein continuously for five years, apart from the fact that he
has other interests elsewhere, and that therefore it is desirable that some one else
should be appointed, who can carry out the duties of the post. The present Fields
Manager, an American, by name Skinner, is an exceedingly pleasant man to deal
with, and if there is any difficulty about finding an Englishman to act as Chief Local
Representative, I personally see no objection to Skinner being appointed, but I do
definitely think that the time has arrived at which we should insist upon the Company
fulfilling their undertaking, though, as I have said above, if the Chief Local Repre
sentative absents himself for, say, two months in the year in the height of the summer,
I do not think any serious exception need be taken to it.
I am sending a copy of this letter to India.
Yours, &c.,
H. V. BISOOE.
O. 98035/32 [No. 56].
No. 111.
MR. J. E. W. FLOOD (Colonial Office)
to
MR. H. R. BALLANTYNE (Bahrein Petroleum Company, Limited).
Dear Mr. Ballantyne , Downing Street, 15th August, 1932.
With reference to your call on the 12th of August and to the official letter from
this Office of the 8th* on the subject of Major Holmes' residence at Bahrein, I now
Arrived Bahrein ...
Left Bahrein for England
Arrived Bahrein ...
Left ,,
Arrived Bahrein ...
Left ,,
* C. 98035/32 [No.-55] : not printed.