TALE OF A CITY 58 This was an acceptable solution, and the Political Agent ended by signing a 5-year contract in July 1937 for the house Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr built. When the contract expired, it was renewed for another 5 years for a monthly rent of 75 Rupees. The new house became to be known as Bait al-Wikalah, or the Agency House.4 The morning of 18 October 1937 in Sharjah was not a quiet one by any measure. Unfamiliar noises could be heard; it was a combination of aircraft noise flying day and night, military ships arriving, steamers going about, and cars driving through the town. As for the locals, all were happy with their earnings from their pearl diving, especially that that their catch was greater than ever before. The boats had left to the Heerat (diving places) earlier than usual for the season and the divers were told that there was an increase in the price of pearls. At exactly 06.00 O’clock that morning, the HMS Deptford arrived in Sharjah. The Political Agent, al-Ruzuqi, arrived on the Agency steamer, then went on board. He informed the ShipCommander that he had already written to all the Sheikhs of the Coast informing them of the details of the ship’s visit and the commander’s request to meet with them. He also reported that the Sheikh of Ajman was unavailable as he had gone to some internal areas to settle some minor tribal disputes before he could receive the Sharjah Political Agent’s letter. He also said that Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr, Ruler of Sharjah, was coming on board of the Deptford at 8.00 AM in order to meet the commander. Sheikh Sultan’s car arrived at the Agency House and parked next to that of the Political Agent’s. There were not that many cars in Sharjah during that period. The ones that were there belonged either to the Air Station or to Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr. The Political Agent had only one car. Travelling across the Coast in the previous years was by sea using that Agency House steamer, or by sail boats or by land on the backs of camels in caravans. The steamer returned to collect Sheikh Sultan and his escorts and transport them to the military ship. They arrived at 08.15 AM and was saluted with 4 shots as he left after the meeting. 4 Ibid., L.P.&S/123626, P.Z.173/1943. P.Z.204/1943.
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