35 The economy of Sharjah started to prosper, with many new jobs for labourers, technicians, carpenters and builders. There was also a boom in boat hiring, which was good news for the sailors. This resulted in an increase in the people’s ability to purchase more products. New suqs such as those of Saqr, al-‘Arsah, al-Shinasiyah in addition to the roofed suq, were opened. The food imports increased; more sheep and cattle were brought in in order to supply the Station with meat, chickens, eggs and fish. There was also a rise in agricultural production. Most people going to the emirates on the coast had to go through Sharjah Aerodrome as it was the only one in the region. Most travelers going east to places like Australia, as well as those coming from the west (Britain) or returning to it from Australia and India, stopped at Sharjah on their way. Sharjah Aerodrome and rest house became a transit stop, where travelers stayedovernight as theirflights landed inSharjahbefore sunset anddeparted the next morning. The revenue of the Sharjah Government also went up. In addition to the income of the Ruler, Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr, generated from the Station Agreement, the Sheikh had other sources of revenue from the rent collected for the buildings or service offices of the English, either in Sharjah Station or in the town itself. Red Oxide (Mughr) in AbuMusa Island Another important source of income for the Sheikh and his subjects was the
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTg0NzAy