Coll 6/9 'Jeddah Reports Jany 1931–' [‎24r] (48/802)

5
g) (?)
328. An editorial discusses the question of giving names to the streets of
the metropolis, and of planting trees along them.
329. The 1 mm-ul-Qura on the 13th August reports that an Egyptian date
expert named Abdul Aziz Effendi Hasan-al-Nooti arrived a week previously and
• went to Taif and Medina, where he will make investigations in methods of date
cultivation.
330. Planning ahead is not one of the specialities of those responsible for
the internal economy of Jedda. At the beginning of August rumours of a
shortage of coal for the condenser water-supply caused some apprehension; and
the price of condensed water suddenly rose on the 9th August from 4 piastres to
twice that amount per “yoke.” Demand was not greatly affected and the
condenser water-supply gave out in the afternoon, thus sending up the price of
the only substitute, the water from Waziriyeh. It is believed that coal was
hastily brought over from Port Sudan in sambuks.
331. The ice-machine also broke down for several days owing to a lack of
ammonia, and ice was even imported, at an enormous price, from Mecca.
332. I he long-standing claim for arrears of wages claimed by the Malay
chauffeur Mohammad-bin-Yusuf has been settled. He had served the Govern
ment motor car company as a chauffeur for forty months, and under his contract
he was entitled to £15 (gold) per month, making £600 (gold). After much
correspondence the Finance Department made him an offer ; they estimated the
pound at ten riyals (which is the official rate for Saudi payments, though it is
otherwise when cash has to be received) and then deducted 25 per cent, from that,
making about £400 sterling instead of £600 gold. It appears that Saudi officials
and other chauffeurs are treated in the same way, and Mohammad-bin-Yusuf was
recommended to take what he could get lest even that offer should be withdrawn.
It appears that he did so.