'File 4/1 General Information regarding Kuwait and Hinterland' [‎227r] (453/474)

NCTF C' T CC"D ITTi'* T S IN rrAIT,
1. gllmatlg,
Th^ stunmer in Kuwait is vary hot • tha maxinmxn
tamparatura racorrfad at tha Agancy in racant years being
116<>r and the mexiimun at Ahmedi U?6°i in the early summer
tha heat mcy be accompanied by most unpleasant dust*sterms*
In tha late summer humidity is tha principle adversary;and it
has bean known to rise to 100JC in late July and is often over
90# in August and September* This is not usually accompanied
by very high temperatures but nevertheless it makes this part
of the summer easily the most trying*
The minimum winter temperature at the Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. is
usually in the neighbourhood of 3S°F but as it is frequently
accompanied by a powerful and penetrating northerly wind it
feels colder* A few miles Inland a night temperature
below freesing-point is common*
Rainfall^which occurs between Wovember and March,
averages 6.60 inches.
The lightest possible tropical clothing is required
for the summer* and normal English clothing for the winter*
Solar Topees are not now considered essential but a shady
and perspiration-proof hat is necessary in the summer* Most
eqi
at present be acquired more easll:
United Kingdom.
Indian tailors*
of the material required for making suitable clothes can at
easily 1
There are a number of reasonably good
in Kuwait than in the
?* SSftnP&j-JS*
The cost of living is high but most goods can be
obtained from time to time if a watch is kept on the shops
likely to have them. A ration of sugar 9 wheat, and piecegocdf^
sale in the town 9 but any of these are available in
is on —, -— —* — —
quantities on the free market* Fresh fruit and vegetables
are practically unobtainable except occasionally for a few
weeks in the spring - and then at a high price*
There is no form of public transport usable by a
European and taxis are prohibitively high* The climate
does not encourage walking or cycling 9 and it is therefore
necessary to have one*8 own car* Cars can be bought here
but it is cheaper to Import one if possible*
There is a flat rate of &i# customs duty on all
imports* but the import of alcohgl and pig-products is
prohibited*
If the visitor expects to dine in the presence of
His Highness the Shaikh he will require a dinner Jacket
(white for summer* black for winter) or equivalent female
attire* It is not the custom for ladies to appear in the
haikh in gowns which are decollete
or expose
presence of the 81
the shoulders* dtherwise evening dr^ss in the summer normally
consists of white shirt without a tie f white trousers, and a
black silk cummerbund * In the winter most families only
g dress ror
wear evening
parties *
Uniform is normally only required on the occasion
of the visits of His Majesty 1 * Ships (about every two months)