Coll 30/5(3) 'Bahrein [sic] Residency Monthly Letter - Summary of Events' [‎116r] (231/253)

Trucial Coas t: The economic depression
migration of many of the local population to
vwirn ;|
^ g a ji.
is leading to the
find work in Kuwait,
Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and elsewhere and the Political Officer
reports that he is receiving about 200 applications a day for
travel documents. This is all to the good at present as labour
is badly required by the oil companies. I visited the Dubai te
bazaar during my recent tour. It is one of the most picturesque
bazaars in the East and is still well stocked though it did not
appear quite as busy as when I visited it last year. The, Manager
of the branch of the Imperial Bank of Iran at Dubai reports that
the merchants are using the bank more than they used to and he
appears to be satisfied with the progress it is making.
f) (
rC Mr. Pocock is working the red oxide deposits on the
islands of Bu Musa and Sir Bu Na'air on behalf of the Golden
Valley Ochre Company of Bristol. . The target for the current
season is 3000 tons. From 150 to 200 coolies A term used to describe labourers from a number of Asian countries, now considered derogatory. are employed on
each island. It is understood that the deposits are likely to
be worked out within a comparatively short period.
4 1
r Umm al Qaiwain the headquarters of one of the Trucial
Coast Sheikhdoms which is situated on a sand spit is suffering
owing to a steady deterioration in the quality of the drinking
water obtainable from local wells. It is doubtful whether
there is any remedy other tha,n distillation.
Muscat ; 1% As on the Trucial Coast A name used by Britain from the nineteenth century to 1971 to refer to the present-day United Arab Emirates. there is considerable economic
distress at Muscat due to high prices, low wages, lack of employment
and the stagnation of trade. Many Muscat subjects have left to
seek employment at Kuwait and elsewhere. The Muscat Government
has now placed a ban on the emigration of certain classes of
artisans for fear of a shortage of skilled labour.
Mr. Findlay of the Eastern Bank Ltd. visited Muscat
during the month and has submitted' his report to his principals
It is hoped that as a result the Bank may decide to send a more
senior representative to enter into negotiations with the Sultan
with a view to opening a branch at Muscat before the next date
export season 'opens in July,
Dr. Bertram has completed his examination of the
fisheries in Muscat and Dhofar and is preparing a report for the
Sultan. He considers that there is’ scope for very considerable
! development in the local fisheries and that a strong case could
/ be made out for the United Kingdom Overseas Food Corporation to
| interest itself in Southern Arabian waters on a large scale.
11, *
0 ' t&'&l Maritim e. H.M.S."Wren” joined th,e "Nearchus 1 '
for part of my Trucial Coast A name used by Britain from the nineteenth century to 1971 to refer to the present-day United Arab Emirates. tour and accompanied her to
Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. The Shaikhs of Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and
Dubai called on Commander J.C.G. Martin, R.N., the Command
ing Officer H.M.S. ,, Wren M and received their salutes. H.M.S.
Challenger” was at Halul Island, where she was establishin'g
a small party to Observe the tides. During the last two or
three months she has been continuing the survey of the waters off
the east coast of Qatar which was begun last winter.