Page 176 - PERSIAN 3 1883_1890

8 ADMINISTRATION REPORT OF TI1E PERSIAN GULF POLITICAL

Fdra requires a firm and united administration, and at present dissensions and ill-feeling exist
amongst the members of the family clique, who share the central authority amongst them. The
present administration of Fare compares unfavourably with that of former years when IIj8
Royal Highness the Motcmid-cd-Dowlah was Governor General.
37. Sultau Muhammad Khan remains Eel-Kbancc, and Darab Khan Eel-Begco of the
Kashgai Ecliynts.
83. Tlio Governor of Bushire, Muhammad Husain Khan, son of the Sahib Diwan, was
Buahire. grauted by the Shah the title of Motcmin-el-Malk.
39. The customs revenues of Bushire and its districts were managed by Muhammad Husain
Khan, who is Agent of the Amccn-es-Sultan.
40. In April orders were received by the Customs Commissioner from the Amcen-es-Sultan
forbidding him to accept receipts for payment of export duty on grain passed to foreign
merchants or their agents by Governors of other ports of Fare or Arabistan. The Governors
of Rceg, Dcelara, &c., were then told by the Government of Fare to avoid passing receipts for
export duty, and to levy the amount under some other name, or in an indirect manner. Tbe
matter having been refereed to II. M/s Minister, stringent orders were issued by the Persian
Government to the Government of Fars to refund all duty levied in excess of 6 per cent, and
refrain from exacting double duty in future. In August several such overpayments were
refunded, but in spite of all orders and protests, British merchants still complain that in some
form or other they are subjected to double export duty on grain purchased for them at outports.
41. In July an affray occurred at Busbire between Pefsian soldiers and some people
of Dasliti, who had come with the widow of Muhammad Khan, late Governor of Dashti. In
this affray a few lives were lost. The blame rested with the officiating Governor of Bushire.
42. Aga Muhammad Mehdi, the “ Melek-et-Tujar, ” of Bushirc, having returned from a
tour iu Europe, inaugurated some measures of a sanitary nature, and has also undertaken to
build a sea wall, to prevent the sea from flooding the plain outside the walls of Bushirc.
43. In October Mr. R. C. Keun, Consul-General for Holland, returned to Bushire, having
been absent for several year*.
44. The coast between Busbire and Lingah has enjoyed quiet during the year.
43. Lingah suffered from great scarcity of water until the autumn, when heavy showers
Lingah. replenished the reservoirs. Several shocks of earthquake
were felt, but no damage occurred from them.
46. The Arab Deputy Governor was Shaikh Yoosuf,* who was immediately under Muhara-
•A’ot*.—Jlunlcred in April 1885. mad Husain Khan, Agent of the Amcen-es-Sultan, the Govern­
ment of Liugah and also Bunder Abbass being still severed from F6rs.
47. A violent gale of wind with heavy rain burst over Lingah on 24th February, destroying
and damaging many houses.
4S. A quarrel occurred in March between the Chief of Lingah and the Chief of Charak,
which, after nearly resulting in hostilities, was settled by mediation.
49. Bunder Abbass has been for the most part governed by Muhammad Husain Khan
Bonder Abba*. personally, and his administration was satisfactory. Daring
his absence, however, the proceedings of his agents were muoh complained of.
50. The Hindu community were much agitated at the conversion of a Hindu fakir to
Liam in February, and for some days they closed their shops. The case has been investigated
on the 6pot, and the convert having been examined at Bushire, it appeared that his conversion
was voluntary, and although there was strong suspicion of his having stolen valuables from
the Hindu temple, proof of this was not forthcoming. The conduct of the Persian author­
ities was sbewu to have been blameworthy, and at the Resident's suggestion Muhammad
Husain Khan promised to remove those in fault. It was thought advisable that the convert
should not return to Bunder Abbass.
51. Mirza Ismail Khan, son of Muhammad Khan, Foreign Agent of Shiraz, was ap­
pointed Foreign Office Agent at Bunder Abbass, but left for Shiraz in March.
52. Muhammad Husain Khan, Doputy Governor of Bundar Abbass and Lingnh and
Commissioner of Custoroi, resigned his posts in March, and Shahzadah Muhammad Husain
Mirza, graudson of his late Royal Highness the Rukn-cd-dowlah, has been appointed his ■UO*
censor in all his offices.

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