"مراسلات بشأن إنشاء محطة تلغراف لاسلكية في البحرين" [‎١‎٢] (٣٢٤/٢٨)

had been discussed before now but that I had heard nothing about it for some
time.
I then asked if his Company had sanctioned the expenditure, and if he
knew how much it would be, lie answered that according to some oxpeiimonts
he had made in South America the cost would be about ten thousand pounds
sterling but that the recurring cost would be very little. This shows that if his
company had ordered him to approach me on the subject, they had either not
made out a competent estimate or they had not informed him of the cosk He
said that there was no doubt the Company would sanction the amount required.
5. The conversation then came to an end and the following day I consult
ed Mr. Milborrow of JVIessrs. Gray Paul as to the commercial^ prospects of the
scheme.
6. On considering the matter I came to the conclusion that although the
correspondence was confidential, I ought to inform Mr. Roever that you had
addressed the Government of India on this subject and the question was under
consideration. I therefore visited him on the 5th and gave him this inform
ation and I trust that my action will be approved. 1 then asked whether any
negotiations had been made in Bushire. To this he replied in the negative.
7 The nearest estimate I can make for receipts is that about 100 telegrams
would be despatched from here weekly during the pearl buying season-3
months, while for the rest of the year about 30 or 40 telegrams would be sent
weekly. Of course this is merely guess work and the number of telegrams
would necessarily vary according to the rates fixed.
8. I can hardly believe that Messrs. Wonckhaus and Company anticipated
that they would ever be permitted to erect a wireless installation, and 1 fancy
that the enquiry was made with an idea of trying to force our hand. The
combined proposals show clearly their forward policy even in face of iinancial
loss.
9. It is needless to say that telegraphic communication would be warmly
welcomed by all the mercantile community.
I
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