Page 227 - PERSIAN GULF ADMINISTRATION REPORTS V1

77
MUSCAT POLITICAL AQEKCY FOll TIIK YEAH 1875-76.
AND
His II prim css Svtid Abdool Azeez, who bad garrisoned it with a force
of Belli* Kuwcv’eh, the negotiations, however, proved fruitless, and Ilia
Ilii'lincss having despatched n force with battering guns to the spot,
succccdcil in capturing it on the 20th after several day*'bombardment
and with n loss of about twenty killed on both sides m the attack.
In the same month Ilis Highness Syud Toorkcc despatched Syud
13cclr hin Seif on a mission to Seined, and negotiations were carried on for
some time with His Highness Syud Abdool Azeez through Sheikh
Sahli, no result, however, was arrived at, and Syud Bedr returned to
Muscat. Subsequently Ilis Highness Syud Abdool Azeez wrote to the
Political Agent, requesting an interview with a view to some arrangement
being effected between himself and llis Highness Syud Toorkeo
through the mediation of Government.
Ilis Highness Syud Toorkcc’s position at the present time is encour­
aging, and with the able assistance of bis Minister Syud Said will, it is
hoped, continue to improve, though His Highness cannot be said to have
a very secure tenure of power.
In the month of May 1S75 Surgeon A. S. Jayakar, Civil Surgeon,
who had proceeded on furlough to Europe,
Official changes.
returned to Muscat and resumed his appoint­
ment from Surgeon C. T. Peters, M.B., who had acted for him.
During the year 1S75 the beneficial effects of the steps that bad
been taken by Her Majesty's Government
Slave Trr.dt?.
f«*r the more effectual suppression of the
Bade **n the I.a.-t African Coa>t eontiuiieu to be felt, and so far as is
Know n only a few small driblets of fresh slaves were landed. These were
imported chiefly in bughlas under the French flag. The whole number,
however, it is believed, did not exceed forty or fifty. Xo captures were
made by Iler Majesty's cruizers.
rlhere lias been a decided increase in the trade of .Muscat during
the past year as shown in the annexed Tabu­
Trade.
lar Statements. The total increase of exports
over those of the preceding year being §231,050 and of imports §209,765.
The principal items of export are pressed dates and dry dates or
Karak. A considerable increase is observable in both of these, though
the harvest last year was by no means favourable.
In imports tlie cbief article is rice, which comes mostly from Calcutta
m square-rigged vessels. An increase in the importation of this item
look place of §132,350.
The value of the trade between India and Muscat was—
Imports ... § 11,24,390
Exports ... § 5,86,850

Total ... § 17,11,240