File 522/1922 Pt 4 'Persian Gulf: Bahrein: Internal' [‎228r] (460/616)

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Serial No. 1. — Express letter Pvo ■^rirj] SrtoDi]TAn¥ to thb Go ^imirMEifT of
hrnTrt T¥ THE Forbiom AMfr-PoLITIOAL DDPARTMnirT, Ddli^,/ No. 27-T.,
DATED THE 13TH (RECEIVED 17TH) MARCH 1924. ^
Subject :—Bahrain Reforms. Pearling Industry.
My endorsement No. 124-S. of 15th February (Serial No. 295 in file No. 480-X.)*
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. has consulted Shaikhs Hamad and Abdulla and all agree tha t
accounts on the lines I have suggested can be introduced, and that it would be
advantageous to do so forthwith in time for this season. Accordingly I am
telegraphing to 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. to get Shaikh Hamad to issue the necessary
orders.
The Shaikhs consider that the nakhudas will not like sharing actual sale value
of pearls for fear they should be taxed proportionately — a diver’s share being
taken as tax in most states. To obviate the chance of fraud and collusion between
nakhudas and drivers to falsify the sale value of pearls the Shaikhs have decided
to charge a regular license fee on pearl boats based on the average diver’s share
gained by such boats, but a great deal less. The average for a good sized boat
in Kuwait is considered to be about Rs. 500 and the Shaikhs propose to levy
license fees in the grades according to the size of the boats, commencing at
Rs. 250 for the large boats. This will be much less than charged by other Shaikhs,
but a clear gain in Bahrain where for many years no regular tax has been levied
on pearling boats.
In anticipation of sanction I am authorizing 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. to agree to
Shaikh Hamad proceeding with the licenses for the coming season.
2. As another reform the Shaikh proposes to start a Hospital Dhow A term adopted by British officials to refer to local sailing vessels in the western Indian Ocean. to tour
round the pearl banks, and requires a Sub-Assistant Surgeon to be in charge. The
expenses of this boat have been entered in the budget: the only difficulty is the
Sub-Assistant Surgeon. Could Government aid the Shaikh by appointing a
regular Sub Assistant Surgeon for foreign service in Bahrain for this duty ? He
should be a Mohommedan, and must be a good sailor, preferably a man who has
served on ships. He should be prepared to stay at least two years, as it will take
him some time to learn the language and get into the work. Salary proposed
Rs. 150 per mensem plus Rs. 25 per mensem when out with the Pearling
Fleet.
This man to be any use this season should be nominated at once.
In the off season the Sub-Assistant Surgeon would assist the Assistant Surgeon
in charge of the Victoria Memorial Hospital who has now a good deal of work.
The Shaikh proposes to make him the Official Doctor and pay him a fixed
retaining fee for this duty, as well as his salary for Quarantine work.
The Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. Surgeon considers the scheme for a Hospital Dhow A term adopted by British officials to refer to local sailing vessels in the western Indian Ocean. a very
good one and entirely approves of the suggestion that the Assistant Surgeon
should be the Official Doctor and supervise the Hospital Dhow A term adopted by British officials to refer to local sailing vessels in the western Indian Ocean. as well as the
Victoria Memorial Hospital.
As mentioned above I am authorizing Major Daly to get Shaikh Hamad to
proceed with the new system of accounts and the licensing pearling dhows at once
in anticipation of sanction in order to bring the system into operation this
season.
With the same object in view in the case of the Hospital Dhow A term adopted by British officials to refer to local sailing vessels in the western Indian Ocean. will Govern
ment be pleased to select a Sub-Assistant Surgeon as soon as possible ?
0 tUi' Srth&Cted
Serial No. ° TTTTr mnT rriT^ Ili-lyTfmTifmvTr nn hmi » TV
'Tmi? . ITI] PoijiTr’ ‘iii /No. 57-i\, dated the
22nd (received 31st) March 1924.
Memorial dated 13th February 1924 from Shaikh Sir Tsa bin Ali A1 Khalifa, K.C.S.L,
to His Excellency the Viceroy.
In reply to vour telegram No. 480-X., dated loth March 1924 (Serial No. 301
in file No. 480-X.), I have the honour to submit herewith comments on the above
memorial. I did not send any with the memorial as all the events and matters
dealt with therein have been reported to Government at length and in detail as
they occurred, by Colonel Knox and myself.
M. C. 221 F.D. i u W ,
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JUN 1924