Abstract: The volume contains correspondence, telegrams and notes of meetings between the Political Agent at Muscat and the Political Resident at Bahrain and Anglo-Persian Oil Company (APOC) representatives regarding geologic surveys of Dhofar, Massirah and Batinah, Muskat, in Oman, and Gwadar, in Pakistan, carried on by geologists employed by D'Arcy Exploration Company. The volume contains an extract from the account of the expedition to Muscat (folios 44-45) and some letters to and from the Amīr of Ja‘lān, Muḥammad bin Nāṣir Āl Ḥamūdah.There are some maps within the file:Reduction to show Relationships of the Combined Plane Table and Prismatic Compass Sketch Map of the Country between JEBEL RODHAH, SOHAR AND IBRI, OMAN, ARABIA, with the Oman peninsula (f. 18A);Sketch map of the Omani and Emirati coast from Muscat northbound (f. 18B);Map extracted from Geographical Journal Sep. 1925' showing Oman and Trucial States (f. 18C);'Map showing coast and ports of Oman' (f. 36A), drawn by Mr Bower.Physical description: The foliation is written in pencil and can be found in the top right corner of the recto side of each folio.The numbering commences at the first folio with 1, 1A, 1B, 1C and 1D; 2-3; 4 and 4A; 5-7; 8 and 8A; 9-17; 18, 18A, 18B and 18C; 19-36; 37 and 37A; 38-60; 61 and 61A and then it carries on until 66, which is the last number given to the last folio.
Abstract: The file comprises correspondence between the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Trenchard Craven Fowle), the Political Agent at Bahrain (Hugh Weightman), the Political Agent at Muscat (Ralph Ponsonby Watts) and Petroleum Concessions Limited (Stephen Hemsley Longrigg) regarding arrangements for geologists from Petroleum Concessions Limited to undertake geological exploration at Jebel Faiyah [Jabal al Fāyah], Baraimi [Al Buraymī] and Jebel Hafit [Jabal Ḩafīt].Possible routes of entry to the Baraimi Oasis through Sharjah, Muscat and Abu Dhabi are discussed along with the proposal to use two exploration parties which could meet up at the Oasis. One exploration party was sent from Muscat to Jebel Hafit and Baraimi with the assistance of the Sultan of Muscat (Sayyid Sa‘īd bin Taymūr Āl Bū Sa‘īd) and escorted by the Wali of Sohar (Mudhaffar Suliman). The other, escorted by a political officer John Baron Howes, hoped to travel through Beni Kitab [Beni Qitab] territory and visit Jebel Faiyah before going on to Baraimi, but ultimately had to travel there directly from Abu Dhabi with the assistance of the Wali of Al Ain (Ibrāhīm bin ʻUthmān).The remainder of the volume discusses the various intrigues and difficulties encountered by the exploration parties in attempting to negotiate with the principal tribes at the Baraimi Oasis in order to gain access to their territory for exploration. The tribes involved include the Na’im [Na‘īm] (Shaikh Saqr bin Sulṭān), Al Bu Shamis [Āl Bū Shāmis] (Shaikh Muḥammad bin Raḥmāh bin Salmin), Beni Ka’ab [Banū Ka‘ab] and Abu Dhabi.Contained within the volume are detailed letters and reports submitted by John Baron Howes, Assistant Political Agent at Bahrain, who had accompanied one of the exploration parties to Baraimi. The correspondence details the various negotiations to enable the parties to travel, incidents on route and day by day accounts of the exploration party’s work and their interactions with the various tribes there. Folios 131-141 comprise Howe’s official report of his special duty in connection with the PCL exploration party and includes two sketch maps, one of the geographical layout of the Baraimi Oasis and the other of the distribution of the various tribes around the Oasis. A detailed appendix lists every tribe residing at the Oasis and includes details of their leaders, strength of arms, where their main settlement was, and whether they were Ghafiri or Hinawari [Hinawi].Also discussed are the lack of attempts made by the Shaikh of Sharjah to permit the geologists to visit Jebel Faiyah and subsequent attempts by Shaikh Khalid [Shaikh Khalid bin Aḥmad bin Sulṭān Āl Qasimī], Regent of Kalba to negotiate with Shaikh Muhammad bin Ali [Muḥammad bin ‘Īsá], Chief of the Beni Kitab to arrange for the PCL geologists to travel there. The negotiations were unsuccessful owing to the intrigues of various individuals on the Trucial coast, which the British believed to be orchestrated by the Shaikh of Sharjah (Shaikh Sulṭān bin Saqr Āl Qasimī).Other matters discussed in the volume include:PCL’s wish to establish an aerodrome at Baraimi, and their subsequent decision to establish it nearer to the coast owing to the difficulties encountered at Baraimi and the likely cost of acquiring permission from the Shaikh of Abu Dhabi (Shaikh Shakhbūt bin Sulṭān bin Zāyid Āl Nahyān);memorandum and reports from the Residency Agent at Sharjah (‘Abd al Razzaq) on visits made by Shaikh Saqr bin Sultan, Ruler of Baraimi and Shaikh Mohammed bin Rahmah, Chief of the Al Bu Shamis to the Trucial coast and of the various intrigues occurring on the Trucial coast in relation to the work of the geological exploration parties at Baraimi;the intention of the PCL geologists on their return to Muscat to travel to Ras-al-Hadd [Ra’s al Ḩadd] and undertake an aerial survey of the coastal area south of Ras-al-Hadd.Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover and terminates at the back cover; 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 also present in parallel between ff 2-143; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not 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.
Abstract: The file comprises correspondence between the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Trenchard Craven Fowle, Charles Geoffrey Prior), the Political Agent at Bahrain (Hugh Weightman), the Political Agent at Muscat (Ralph Ponsonby Watts, Tom Hickinbotham), the India Office (John Percival Gibson, Roland Tennyson Peel) and Petroleum Concessions Limited, later Petroleum Development (Trucial Coast) Limited (Basil Henry Lermitte, Stephen Hemsley Longrigg, Thomas Fulton Williamson) regarding geological exploration of the Trucial Coast and Muscat, and its subsequent postponement owing to World War Two.The correspondence discusses initial plans for the exploration of the Trucial coast and Muscat during the winter of 1939 – 1940 and the intention that the Sultan of Muscat (Sayyid Sa‘īd bin Taymūr Āl Bū Sa‘īd ) would provide access to areas under the control of the Naim [Na‘īm] and Al Bu Shamis [Āl Bū Shāmis] tribes. Also discussed is the possibility of the Shaikh of Abu Dhabi (Shaikh Shakhbūt bin Sulṭān bin Zāyid Āl Nahyān) providing access to Baraimi [Al Buraymī ] now that a concession has been signed for his territory; and other work that might be undertaken in both Muscat and Abu Dhabi. This survey work was ultimately postponed owing to concerns over access to, and protection whilst in the relevant territory, as well as the outbreak of War in Europe.Later correspondence discusses the decision to postpone geological surveying owing to wartime conditions, and consideration of a resumption of work in 1945 with proposals for a small geological survey party working in the Baraimi and Jebel Hafit [Jabal Ḩafīt] area’s with geophysical surveys commencing in 1946. Included in the file are reports from a geologist for Petroleum Concessions Limited, Thomas Fulton Williamson, which discuss the potential problems of supplies, labour, transport, and accommodation that would have to be overcome.Other matters discussed in the volume include:news of the death of Shaikh Muhammad bin Sultan An-Nu’aimi [Sheikh Muḥammad bin Sulṭān Al-Nu`aimī] of Dhank who had been succeeded by his brother Shaikh Saqr bin Sultan [Sheikh Saqr bin Sulṭān Al-Nu`aimī] of Baraimi;the need to attempt to define the boundaries of the various Trucial Shaikh’s territories and proposing that initially each Shaikh be asked to state what they considered to be under their control so that areas of joint or disputed ownership could be identified;a meeting in Sharjah with the Political Agent at Bahrain, Shaikh Mohammed bin Saqr al-Jawassim [Sheikh Muḥammad bin Saqr Āl Qasimī] brother of the Shaikh of Sharjah, Shaikh Saqr bin Sultan of the Naim at Dhank, Shaikh Rashid bin Hamad [Rāshid Bin Ḥumaid] of Al Bu Shamis at Baraimi) and Shaikh Mohammed bin Ali bin Huweidin of the Beni Qitab (also written as Beni Chittab). That this was the first time in ten years that the Chief of the Beni Qitab had been persuaded to come to Sharjah and was considered a positive sign that could benefit Petroleum Concessions Limited in gaining access to territory under the Beni Qitab’s control;concerns in 1939 over Petroleum Concessions Limited’s intentions with regard to their concessions in the Persian Gulf and whether they actually intended exploiting them or had merely acquired them to prevent other companies from doing so.Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1 and terminates at the back cover with 128; 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 also present in parallel between ff 2-127; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
Abstract: The volume comprises correspondence between the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf (Charles Geoffrey Prior), the Political Agent at Bahrain (Hugh Weightman, Reginald George Evelin Alban), the India Office (Roland Tennyson Peel, John Percival Gibson), the Admiralty (Clifford George Jarrett), the Shaikh of Bahrain (Shaikh Ḥamad bin ‘Īsá Āl Khalīfah), and the Bahrain Petroleum Company (Hamilton R Ballantyne) and discusses the conclusion of negotiations in London for a political agreement to accompany the concession secured by the Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO) from the Shaikh of Bahrain for the unalloted area of Bahrain.The correspondence focuses primarily on the question of whether a pre-emption clause is required in the political agreement or whether a force majeure clause would be an acceptable alternative given His Majesty’s Government’s likely need for oil in wartime and other emergencies. The negotiations were concluded in June 1941 with the concession agreement being signed in Bahrain 19 June 1941 and the Political Agreement signed in London 29 June 1941.Other correspondence discusses a request made by the Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO) to accelerate their exploration work in the Unallotted area of Bahrain and the need for a final settlement of the terms of both the concession agreement and political agreement in order to support the company’s acceleration proposal.Also discussed is the drilling work undertaken by BAPCO in order to obtain structural information on their newly acquired concession area. The drilling work undertaken had also succeeded in finding drinking water on Fasht al Jibal [Fasht ad Dībal] and their intention to drill on Hawar Island included the intention to create water wells should drinking water be found there too. The correspondence concludes with the decision taken by BAPCO in 1941 to suspend their exploration work in new areas owing to a lack of available labour and to concentrate instead on their existing production and refining activities.Another topic under discussion in the volume is the question of the ownership of the Hawar Group of Islands with His Majesty’s Government reaching a decision in August 1939 that the Hawar Group of Islands belonged to Bahrain and not Qatar. Correspondence includes the Shaikh of Qatar (Shaikh ‘Abdullāh bin Jāsim Āl Thānī)’s dissatisfaction at the outcome.Later correspondence from 1941 includes the Political Agent at Bahrain and the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf expressing their concerns over the decision that was reached and suggesting that the evidence be reconsidered and an expert in that area such as Sir Clive Kirkpatrick Daly be consulted for his opinion on the question.As part of the discussions a request is made to the Air Vice-Marshall, Commanding British Forces in Iraq for a photographic mosaic to be taken of the Hawar Group of Islands. The mosaic was required in order to determine a line of division between the territorial rights of Bahrain and Qatar.Also discussed was the question of ownership of the island of Fasht Dibal [Fasht ad Dībal], which was at that time claimed by Bahrain; regarding the Political Resident’s scepticism regarding the validity of Bahrain’s claim and the question of whether the Shaikh of Qatar should be given the opportunity to put forward any claim he had towards the island.One other matter of note within the volume relates to reports and rumours of attempts by Turkish officials at Hasa to secure their authority over the district they controlled. These attempts were alleged to include Turkish officials visiting Zakhnuniya Island [Jazirat az Zakhnūnīyah] to try and convince the Dowasir tribe there to swear allegiance to Turkey; it is claimed their intention was to take control of Dohah [Doha], and perhaps the whole Katar [Qatar] peninsula from the Shaikh of Qatar. The alleged movements of Turkish officials on Zakhnuniya Island resulted in an official protest being made by the Shaikh of Bahrain who considered the island to be part of his territory.A series of file notes which were maintained as a record of the correspondence in the volume can be found at folios 214-227.Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside of the front cover, and terminates at the inside back cover; 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 188-227; these numbers are also written in pencil, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence, but they are not circled. A previous foliation sequence, which is also circled, has been superseded and therefore crossed out.
Abstract: This file consists of correspondence relating to minerals in Oman. The main correspondents are Percy Zachariah Cox, Political Agent, Muscat; Lieutenant Colonel Charles Arnold Kemball, Political Resident Persian Gulf. Correspondence discusses coal in the Samhan Hills, in Dhofar, report of coal in Oman; export of coal from Sur; French interest. The presence of lead and manganese is also discussed.There is a map (folio 19) of the geology of the eastern part of Oman from Muscat to Ras al-Hadd.Two black and white photographs pasted into the volume on folios 50v and 51r show scenes in Dhofar (Dhufar) province.The photographs accompany a nine-page report (folios 48r-53r) dated 14 January 1907, by Major W. G. Grey on a visit to the province of Dhofar. Three additional photographs, on folios 49r, 49v and 51r have been lost or removed from the volume.Physical description: Foliation: The foliation sequence consists of pencil numbers, enclosed in a circle, located in the top right hand corner of the recto of each folio. The sequence commences on the front cover (although the number itself has been written on the inside of the cover), and concludes on the last folio. Foliation anomalies: 1A, 1B, 1C, 77A, 77B, 117A, 117B. The file also contains a former pagination sequence consisting of numbers written in blue crayon or pencil, which commences on folio 4 with the number 1. Only pages with writing on them have been paginated.
Abstract: The file contains two items. The first is 'A note on the Dhufar Province, Southern Arabia' by Gordon Noel Jackson dated 23rd June, 1943, Kuwait. This typed note is 8 pages and has sections on topography; climate; people; economy and finance; agriculture; administration; airport; security; of scientific interest; sport.The file also includes a 78 page printed report on 'The geology and mineral resources of Dhofar province, Muscat and Oman' by Sir Cyril S Fox. This report includes introductory remarks; physical geography; details of tour; geological considerations; economic minerals; industrial possibilities. The printed report includes a sketch map of Dhofar.Physical description: Foliation starts on first page of volume and continues to last page. Foliation in pencil in encircled numbers in top right corner of recto. Alternative foliation system starts with 34 on f.1 and continues to f.8. ff.9-54 are a booklet; f.55 is the envelope for the booklet. Additional foliation on 4 slips pasted into the booklet (18A, 20A, 21A, 26A).
Abstract: The file contains correspondence relating to survey expeditions carried out in the Trucial Coast (today's United Arab Emirates) region by Petroleum Development (Trucial Coast) Limited, a subsidiary of Petroleum Concessions Limited. The correspondence is principally between the Residency Agent at Sharjah, the Political Officer of the Trucial Coast, also at Sharjah, the Political Resident at Bahrain [Persian Gulf Political Residency], the Political Agent at Bahrain, representatives of Petroleum Concessions Limited and Petroleum Development (Trucial Coast) Limited, the Foreign Office, the rulers of Sharjah and Dubai, as well as the leaders of a number of more minor tribes.The correspondence covers the arrangements for, and the progress of, survey work carried out by the company during the winters of 1947/48 and 1948/49, in the territories of Sharjah, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Ras al Khaimah [Ra's al-Khaymah], and in particular within the vicinity of Buraimi [Al-Buraymī].Matters of a political nature were referred by the company to the Residency Agent or the Political Officer. The following issues are covered within the file:numerous incidents of resistance from local Bedouin inhabitants, usually triggered by transgression of tribal boundaries, particularly from the Beni Qitab, Manasir, and Naim [Āl Na‘īm] tribes;tribal and territorial allegiances that impacted on the work of the surveyors, and the efforts to secure access to survey areas for the company from the interested parties.Folios 69-73 are internal office notes.Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover, and terminates at the inside back cover; 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 2-73; these numbers are also written in pencil, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence, but they are not circled.
Abstract: The file contains correspondence relating to survey expeditions carried out in the Trucial Coast (today's United Arab Emirates) region by Petroleum Development (Trucial Coast) Limited, a subsidiary of Petroleum Concessions Limited. The correspondence is principally between the Residency Agent at Sharjah, the Political Officer of the Trucial Coast, also at Sharjah, the Political Agent at Bahrain, representatives of Petroleum Concessions Limited and Petroleum Development (Trucial Coast) Limited, the India Office, the rulers of Sharjah, Ras al Khaimah [Ra's al-Khaymah], and Abu Dhabi, as well as the leaders of a number of more minor tribes.The correspondence covers the arrangements for, and the progress of, survey work carried out by the company during the winters of 1945/46, 1946/47, and 1947/48, in the vicinities of Jabal Faiyah and Buraimi [Al-Buraymī], including a reconnaissance trip through Wadi al Gor. Contained in the file are regular updates on the progress of the surveys sent by company representatives to either the Residency Agent or the Political Officer at Sharjah.Matters of a political nature were referred by the company to the Residency Agent or the Political Officer, and the following issues are covered within the file:numerous incidents of resistance from local Bedouin inhabitants, usually triggered by transgression of tribal boundaries;pay arrangements for guards and labourers, including a strike by workers in October 1946;the employment of non-British subjects (namely Americans);tribal and territorial allegiances that impacted on the work of the surveyors.Folio 102 is a sketch map of the area explored around Ajman [‘Ajmān] and Umm al Qaiwain [Umm al Qaywayn].Folios 211-232 are internal office notes, including extracts from the oil concession agreement with Shaikh Sultan II bin Saqr of Sharjah [Sulṭān II bin Saqr Āl Qāsimī].Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the first folio, and terminates at the inside back cover; 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 also present; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and can be found in the same position as the main sequence.
Abstract: The volume contains correspondence and telegrams between the Political Department, the Colonial Office and the Secretary of State at the India Office in London, the Political Resident at Bushire, the Political Agents at Kuwait and Anglo Persian Oil Company (APOC) representatives. Main subjects are the negotiations for oil concessions mainly in Kuwait, but also in Bahrain and Nejd [Najd, Jubail, Saudi Arabia] against the competitor Eastern and General Syndicate Limited, represented by Major Frank Holmes, and a geological exploration of Kuwait by APOC.The volume also includes a draft agreement on the oil exploration license in Kuwait, in Arabic and English, dated 13 August 1932, between Shaikh Aḥmad al-Jābir Āl Ṣabāḥ, ruler of Kuwait, and APOC (folios 120-131), and a Map of 'Kuwait Bay' on folio 132A.Some of the documents in the volume are marked as confidential and there are some documents in Arabic.Physical description: The main foliation is in pencil, encircled and in the top right corner of the recto of each folio. The numbering commences at the front cover with 1, then 1A and 1B; 2 and 2A; 3-128; 129 and 129A; 130, 131, 132 and 132A and then it carries on until 203, which is the last number given on the back cover. A second foliation sequence runs between ff. 3-190; these numbers are also written in pencil, are not circled and can be found in the same position as the main sequence.
Abstract: The volume concerns the definition of the eastern boundary of Saudi Arabia with Qatar and Trucial Oman, and negotiations over the boundary between British officials and Ibn Saud (also referred to as Bin Saud) [‘Abd al-‘Azīz bin ‘Abd al-Raḥmān bin Fayṣal Āl Sa‘ūd, King of Saudi Arabia].The principal correspondents are the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf; the Political Agent, Bahrain; HM Minister, Jedda [Jeddah] (Sir Andrew Ryan), later the Chargé d'Affaires, Jeddah (Andrew Spencer Calvert); and senior officials of the Foreign Office, the India Office, the Government of India, and the Colonial Office.The papers cover: Anglo-Saudi negotiations over basing the frontier on the Blue Line [a line drawn by British and Turkish officials in 1913 from the Gulf of Uqair to parallel 20 degrees North, in the Rub al-Khali], and its extension on the side of Aden, the Violet Line; British proposals to base the frontier on a new line, the Green Line; further papers concerning the eastern, south, and south-eastern boundaries of Saudi Arabia; the effect of the proposed boundaries on the sheikhdom of Abu Dhabi; Foreign Office records of discussions between HM Minister, Jedda (Ryan) and the Deputy Saudi Arabian Minister for Foreign Affairs (Fuad Bey Hamza [Fu’ād Ḥamzah]), June-July 1935 (folios 85-102); papers concerning territorial claims of Ibn Saud in eastern and south-eastern Arabia, July 1935 (folios 103-108); investigations into tribal matters (e.g. folio 117); geological surveys and the likely presence of oil in the area (passim); the Qatar boundary (especially folios 136-173); the Qatar oil concession, September 1935 (folios 174-178); and papers concerning an air reconnaissance by British officials, with the assistance of the Royal Air Force (RAF), in order to determine certain key points on the proposed border in the area south of Qatar, October 1935 (folios 196-223).The Arabic language content of the papers consists of fewer than ten folios, mainly copies of correspondence between Ibn Saud and the Ruler of Qatar [Shaikh ‘Abdullāh bin Jāsim Āl Thānī].The date range gives the covering dates for the main items of correspondence; the earliest dated document is an enclosure to the first item of correspondence, dated 22 February 1935, and the last dated addition to the file is an entry in the notes on folio 229 dated 22 October [1935].Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 234; 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 also present in parallel between ff 6-229; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in same position as the main sequence.
Abstract: The file contains correspondence, primarily between the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, the Political Agent at Kuwait and the Political Agent at Bahrain, regarding terrestrial magnetic observations as part of a seismic survey carried out in various stations of the Persian Gulf by Kuwait Oil Company. There is also correspondence with Bahrain Petroleum Company Limited (BAPCO) and the Adviser to the Government of Bahrain, seeking permission for the observations in Bahrain.Physical description: Foliation: the main foliation sequence (used for referencing) commences at the front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 35; 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 4-29; these numbers are also written in pencil, but are not circled, and are located in the same position as the main sequence.
Abstract: The letters, office notes and other items contained in the volume relate to the discovery and survey of bitumen (or asphalt) deposits in Bahrain, and subsequent discussions between British officials and the ruler of Bahrain, Shaikh ‘Īsá bin ‘Alī Āl Khalīfah, on securing exclusive concessions to extract oil deposits in future. The principal correspondents in the file are the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf and the Political Agent at Bahrain (both posts being held by numerous incumbents during the period covered by the file), and Shaikh ‘Īsá bin ‘Alī Āl Khalīfah, ruler of Bahrain.In January 1901, John Calcott Gaskin, then Political Agent in Bahrain, wrote to the Political Resident Major Charles Kemball, reporting that asphalt deposits had been discovered at Jebbel Dukhan [Jabal ad Dukhkhān] in Bahrain, and were attracting the interest of the German company Wonckhaus & Co. (folios 1-2). In January 1902 Gaskin further reported to the Resident that Wonckhaus & Co. had approached Shaikh ‘Īsá with a view to securing exclusive rights to the extraction of the asphalt (folios 3-4). Between the years 1903 and 1909 British representatives carried out a number of geological surveys on the asphalt deposits, the first, in 1903, being carried out by Gaskin himself. The results of each of these surveys suggested that, though the deposits of asphalt were neither extensive nor commercially viable, they did provide evidence that more significant reserves of oil might be present (folios 17-24, 43-46, 79).Correspondence in the second half of the file shifts to the question of the Shaikh of Bahrain’s ownership of the asphalt/oil deposits, and efforts by British officials to secure exclusive rights to the mineral resources. In early 1914 the Political Agent, Major Arthur Trevor, exchanged a number of letters with Shaikh ‘Īsá, seeking assurances that British officials would be consulted prior to any attempts at extraction, and that the Shaikh would not consult anyone else over the extraction of his mineral resources (folios 83-100). Correspondence at the end of the volume indicates outside interest in Bahrain’s mineral resources. Enclosed with a letter addressed to the Political Resident dated 1 May 1914, the geologist and oil prospector Charteris A. Stewart enclosed a map showing the sites of oil seepages in the Gulf, including at Bahrain, and enquired after the governance of a number of islands in the Gulf (folios 106-07). In June 1914 the Bahrain Political Agent and the Political Resident discussed interest in the Gulf’s oil deposits from Messrs S. Pearson & Son, whom Stewart was representing (folio 108).Physical description: Foliation: The file is foliated from the first to last folio of writing with blue crayon numbers in the top-right corner of the recto of each folio. The following foliation anomalies occur: 31A, 61A, 61B.The following folios are fold-outs: 51, 52, 73, 83, 96.