The initial part of the file concerns the negotiations for the installation of a telephone service between the wireless station of Imperial and International Communications Ltd at Manamah and the landing ground at Muharraq, in 1934-35. The second part contains correspondence from 1944, focusing on costs of the line installation, and on its operation by Cable and Wireless Limited.The file also contains later correspondence regarding the installation of an Automatic Telephone System in Bahrain, in 1946. These include estimated annual charges. The file includes two copies of a deed between the Ruler of Bahrain and Cable and Wireless Limited to maintain telecommunications in Bahrain for a period of 50 years, 1947 (a draft on folios 40-47 and original, in English and Arabic, on folios 5-11).There are no papers in the file dated 1936-43.The file contains correspondence between: the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf; the Political Agency at Bahrain; the Foreign Office; the India Office; HM Air Ministry; Imperial Airways Limited; the State Engineer of the Government of Bahrain; Claud Cranbrook Lewis de Grenier, for the Adviser to the Government of Bahrain; Sir Charles Dalrymple Belgrave, Adviser to the Government of Bahrain; Cable and Wireless Limited; the General Post Office; and the Board of Trade.1 file (214 folios)The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the file.Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the last folio with 215; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.
This file contains correspondence between British officials - primarily from the Political Agency in Muscat and the Political Residency in Bushire - regarding defence arrangements in the Sultanate of Muscat and Oman.Specifically, the correspondence discusses the following: plans for the potential deployment of troops in the Sultanate; details of how the 'war subsidy' provided by Britain was being spent by its ruler, Said bin Taimur [Sa‘īd bin Taymūr]; the possible appointment of a security officer on the 'Arab side of the Gulf'; and plans for the continuation of the 'war subsidy' being paid in spite of the end of the Second World War.The file contains a limited amount of correspondence between the Political Agency in Muscat and Said bin Taimur that is in Arabic (with English translation attached).In addition to correspondence, the file contains the following related documents:A draft intelligence report on Muscat (folios 4-29)'Notes for an Infantry Brigade and attached troops in the Muscat Area' (folios 41-42)'Muscat and Oman, including Khor Kuwai. Port Summary' (folios 64-73)'Note of a meeting at India Office on 12th February: Muscat War Subsidy' (folios 161-162).1 file (220 folios)The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the front to the rear of the file.Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 222; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel between ff 2-203; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled. A previous foliation sequence between ff 94-221, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
The correspondence in the volume is mainly related to the use of Gwadur anchorage by Imperial Airways flying boats and the question of whether to obtain special authorisations from the Sultan of Muscat and Oman in this regard or not.The correspondence in the volume also covers the following: proposals to obtain specific authority from the Sultan of Muscat and Oman for the refusal of applications, or private flights over his Arabian territory; the rental fees of the landing ground at Gwadur; the arrangement for a guard to be provided on the aerodrome at Gwadur for the protection of the aircraft; the exemption from duty on marine equipment imported into Gwadur for use in connection with the Empire Mail Scheme; the request for special authorisation to be issued by the Shaikhs of the Persian Gulf for certain aircraft registered in the name of Imperial Airways to land in and fly over their territories; the emergency landing of Imperial Airways flying boats at Kuwait; and the arrangements to be made to afford landing facilities at Gwadur once the Muscat Civil Air Agreement expires on 24 October 1938.The main correspondents in the volume are: the Deputy Secretary to the Government of India in the External Affairs Department; the Political Agent, Muscat; the Political Resident, Bushire; Imperial Airways; the Department of Civil Aviation, Air Ministry, London; the India Office; and the Sultan of Muscat and Oman.1 volume (131 folios)The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the front to the rear of the volume.Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 127; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers, nor does it include the leading and ending flyleaves. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
The volume contains correspondence in the form of telegrams, letters, and reports related to the air facilities/landing grounds at Salalah, Masirah and Ras al-Hadd used by the Royal Air Force (RAF) as a war measure. The correspondence is related to the arrangement for engineers and workers to be sent to the landing grounds. In the correspondence, the term 'Coolies' [a pejorative term used by the British to refer to a non-British labourer] has been used to refer to workers.The volume includes correspondence related to the work in progress; situation of the workers, their salaries, health conditions, strike and replacement procedure; delays to payments claimed by the engineers; reports on ships loading and unloading at the air facilities and the capacities of those facilities; as well as correspondence with the firm of Khimji Ramdas to arrange for workers’ transportation.The volume contains correspondence between the Political Agent, Muscat and the Government of Muscat and Oman regarding the supply of workers and building materials, and the cooperation of the latter in storing fuel and other equipment in a safe, adequately guarded place. The volume also contains correspondence between the Political Residency at Bushire, and Royal Air Force officers at Sharjah and Basra to provide aircraft whenever needed by the Political Agent, Muscat or his Assistant at Salalah.The volume includes reports on the visits of officers of the Iraq Levies and the Political Resident (at different times) to the Southern Aerodromes at Bahrain, Sharjah, Muscat, Masirah and Ras al-Hadd. It also includes reports regarding RAF petrol landed, grade, quantity, and average daily rate of discharge in tonnes; the standing orders for personnel of the Royal Air Force; and the arrival of two hundred American base personnel at Salalah.1 volume (169 folios)The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the front to the rear of the volume. Folios 146-165 are file notes.Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 165; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers, nor does it include the leading and ending flyleaves. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
The file consists of correspondence relating to the administration of Waqf property in Bahrain. Waqf property is that given by dedication to Muslim religious or charitable purposes. The file covers various matters, including:reforms of the administration of waqf property, including the formation of a committee to oversee the administration of Shia [Shī‘ah] holdings;the legal definitions surrounding waqf property, with the Awqaf Administration Law of Iraq used as a guide;the question of who will oversee the administration of Persian waqf property;the tracing of title deeds relating to waqf properties;the elections of the Shia Waqf Committee, including the result for the year 1939 (folio 83).The correspondence is between the Political Agency in Bahrain, Adviser to the Government of Bahrain, members of the Waqf committees, Shaikh Hamad of Bahrain [Shaikh Ḥamad bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfah], the Political Residency in the Persian Gulf, the High Commissioner for Iraq, and the Political Agent in Muscat.Folios 85-87 are internal office notes.1 file (86 folios)The file is arranged in rough chronological order from the front to the rear of the file.Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 88; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel between ff 2-87; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
The volume contains correspondence related to the Air Staff Intelligence, Air Headquarters, Baghdad’s request for information to be obtained from Muscat regarding the possible establishment of a subsidiary air route from Iraq to India via the Arabian side of the Gulf. The required information was concerning the straight line Mirfah-Biraimi-Khaburah. Arrangements were made for some Royal Air Force (RAF) representatives to visit the region accompanied by a doctor, and Bertram Sidney Thomas, Financial Advisor to the Sultan of Muscat and Oman.The correspondence contains information on the estimates of the cost of the journey including hire of camels; cost of feeding men and camels; presents to be given to the Shaikhs; wages and foodstuffs, coffee etc.Letters were sent to various Shaikhs and Walis in Sohar, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Baraimi [Buraimi] and other regions, asking them to assist the Royal Air Officers while conducting their work. The correspondence contains letters of certain Shaikhs such as Shaikh Salim bin Diyin [Dayyin] Al-Ka‘bi and Shaikh ‘Isa bin Salih Al-Ḥārithī [Al Harthi] negotiating the terms for them to accept the RAF work to take place. It also contains reports about the troubles made by some of the Bedouin tribes.Bertram Sidney Thomas reported on his observation on the proposed seaplane flight along the south Arabian coast. He also sent a report (ff 82- 130) to the Sultan and the Political Resident on the proceedings of the RAF Trans-Oman Expedition which he conducted from Sohar to Sharjah between 12 May and 3 June 1927. The report is in two parts covering the following: preliminary situation; itinerary of expedition; description of country passed through; tribal situation and Ibn Saud; personalities; tribal considerations and the air route.The volume also includes correspondence with the Sultan of Socotra regarding the construction of landing ground in his territory near Qishn. It also includes correspondence about the Air Ministry’s interest in extending the reconnaissance to establish landing grounds along the southern coast of Arabia.Among other correspondents in the volume are: the Political Agent, Muscat; Muscat and Oman, Council of Ministers; and C Hilton Keith, Squadron Leader RAF, Sohar.1 volume (233 folios)The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the front to the rear of the volume.Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio with 1 and terminates at the last folio with 229; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. The foliation sequence does not include the front and back covers, nor does it include the leading and ending flyleaves. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
The file contains correspondence connected with the births of a son for both Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifah [Shaikh Ḥamad bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfah], the ruler of Bahrain, and his son and deputy ruler, Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifah [Salmān bin Ḥamad Āl Khalīfah]. The documents include letters and telegrams of congratulations from the Political Agent, Lieutenant-Colonel Percy Gordon Loch, the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, Lieutenant Trenchard Craven William Fowle, and the ruler of Qatar, Shaikh ‘Abdullāh bin Qāsim Āl Thānī. Also within the file is correspondence between Loch and Fowle arranging the letters of congratulations and the correct forms of address to use.Folios 17-18 are internal office notes.1 file (17 folios)The file is arranged in chronological order from the front to the rear of the file.Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 19; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel between ff 2-16; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
The file contains correspondence, government proclamations and regulations concerning rent control in Bahrain. The majority of the correspondence is between the Political Agency in Bahrain, the Adviser to the Government of Bahrain (Charles Dalrymple Belgrave), and the Political Residency in the Persian Gulf.The file includes:correspondence between Belgrave, the Political Agency, and the British Consulate-General in Basra regarding the introduction of rent control in Bahrain following complaints of high rates;correspondence from private individuals, business-owners, and representatives of companies (such as Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO), British Overseas Airways Company (BOAC), and Gray, Mackenzie and Company) complaining of high rents and requesting that action be taken;correspondence related to the Government of Bahrain's response of public proclamations, new regulations, and the formation of a Rent Committee and sub-committees;minutes of meetings between members of the Rent Committee (folios 115-16, 132, and 235-36);numerous drafts, modifications, and updates of the government regulation regarding the renting of private and business premises.Folios 5-12 and 15 concern the registration, licensing, and control of motor vehicles and drivers in Bahrain and is seemingly unrelated to the rest of the file.Folios 244-83 are internal office notes.1 file (283 folios)The file is arranged in chronological order from the front to the rear of the file.Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the inside back cover with 285; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located at the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel between ff 16-214; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled.
The correspondence in the file is mainly related to the construction of a new petrol store, a landing ground and a bomb store at Salalah. Upon the request of the Headquarters of the British Forces at Hinaidi, Iraq, the Political Agent at Muscat liaised with the Government of Muscat and Oman for a new petrol store to be constructed at Salalah, a coastal region in the south of Oman. The correspondence includes details of the dimensions and the type of materials to use in the building. The petrol store was completed in June 1938. Later on, a bomb store, as well as a permanent building to house direction finding wireless equipment were also established at Salalah.Other correspondence is the file is related to the request of the Muscat Government for the British Government to pay the overdue rent of the landing ground at Marbat [Mirbat], and the rent of the new store at Salalah. The Secretary to the Sultan of Muscat and Oman, Ali Muhammad Al-Jamali provided statements showing the due amount and the receipts when the rent was paid.The file also includes communications regarding the following: provision of additional facilities for aircraft at Socotra and Salalah; the urgent need for the repair of the store at Marbat [Mirbat] due to a leakage; the removal of the Air Force store at Salalah in 1944; and the extension of the north-south runway at Salalah.The main correspondents in the file are: Headquarters British Forces, Iraq; the Political Agency, Muscat; the Persian Gulf Residency, Bahrain; and the Government of Muscat and Oman.1 file (170 folios)The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the front to the rear of the file. Folios 163-171 are file notes.Foliation: the foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 172; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out. The file has one foliation anomaly, f 27A.
The file contains correspondence relating to education in Bahrain, in particular the recruitment and training of teachers. The correspondence is between the Political Agency in Bahrain, the Registrar of the American University in Beirut (Habib Kurani), the Secretary to the High Commissioner for Iraq, the British Residency and Consulate General in Bushire, the Political Agency in Muscat, the British Embassy in Baghdad, and numerous individual teachers.Several matters are covered by the papers, including:the opening of a new Shī‘a school in Manama;recruitment, training, and payment of teachers for schools in Bahrain;school closures and scheduling;arrangements for transportation of teachers from Iraq;the transfer of control of Sunni schools to the government;changes at the American Mission schools;Bahraini students sent to study at the American University in Beirut;Omani students sent to study in schools in Bahrain;a petition to reinstate two teachers dismissed for striking;scholarships offered by the British Council and Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO).Folios 281-91 are internal office notes.1 file (290 folios)The file is arranged in chronological order from the front to the rear of the file.Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 292; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. An additional foliation sequence is present in parallel between ff 5-280; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
The file contains copies of the following agreements:Agreement between the British government and Shaikh Said bin Hamad [Sa‘īd bin Ḥamad Āl Qāsimī], ruler of Kalba, for facilitation of an airfield, 28 August 1936;Agreement between the British government and Shaikh Sa’id bin Maktum [Sa‘īd bin Maktūm Āl Maktūm], ruler of Dubai, for the provision of a jolly-boat for storage of petrol in Dubai creek, 15 December 1933;Agreement between the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company and Shaikh Sa’id bin Maktum, 10 May 1939;Dubai Commercial Air Agreement between the British Government and Shaikh Sa’id bin Maktum, 22 July 1938 (with renewals on 3 May 1943 and 8 June 1948);Agreement of Sultan bin Salim [Sulṭān bin Sālim Āl Qasimī], ruler of Ras al Khaimah, to provide for petrol storage and protection of aeroplanes, and a guarantee for the security of Khan Bahadur Isa, the Residency Agent, 15 June 1930;Agreement between the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company and Shaikh Sultan bin Saqar [Sulṭān II bin Saqr Āl Qasimī], ruler of Sharjah, 18 January 1940;Agreement between the British government and Shaikh Sultan bin Saqar for the establishment of an air station in Sharjah, 22 July 1932 (with renewal on 22 July 1943);Agreement of Shaikh Sa’id bin Maktum to charter his motor launch to the British Overseas Airways Corporation and the Government of India, 16 November 1941;Agreement between the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company and Said bin Maktum for the lease of a plot of land near the creek, map included (folio 42), 1 May 1944;Agreement between the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company and Messrs. Hussain bin Hassan Emad, Abdul Rahman bin Hussain, and Ali Abdullah Awazi to act as company agents in Dubai, 1 September 1946.Included is correspondence between the Residency Agent and Political Officer at Sharjah, the Political Agency at Bahrain, the Political Residency in the Persian Gulf at Bushire (Bahrain from 1946), and a number of Trucial Coast rulers. The correspondence is related to renewals of air agreements.1 file (63 folios)The file is arranged in rough chronological order.Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the back cover with 65; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. An additional mixed foliation/pagination sequence is also present in parallel between ff 2-31; these numbers are written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.
The file contains correspondence relating to a renewal of the Sharjah Air Agreement between the British government and the ruler of Sharjah, Shaikh Sultan bin Saqr [Sulṭān II bin Saqr Āl Qasimī]. The correspondence is between the Political Officer for the Trucial Coast at Sharjah, Gordon Noel Jackson (later, Patrick Desmond Stobart), the Political Agent at Bahrain, Cornelius James Pelly, the Political Residency in the Persian Gulf at Bushire, Shaikh Sulṭān bin Saqr Āl Qasimī, and his brother, Shaikh Muhammad bin Saqr.The correspondence covers the discussion over the particulars of the agreement, including rent payments, landing fees, guard salaries, and the Shaikh's personal subsidy. There is also correspondence relating to the arrangements for Shaikh Muhammad bin Saqr to sign the final agreement in the absence of Shaikh Sultan bin Saqr, who was in Bombay recovering from sickness.Folios 10-12 and 25-30 are drafts of the agreement.1 file (53 folios)The file is arranged chronologically.Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the back cover with 55; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio. Two additional foliation sequences are also present in parallel between ff 2-54 and ff 2-9 respectively; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.