Page 168 - PERSIAN 4 1899_1905

16 ADMINISTRATION REPORT ON THE PERSIAN GULF POLITICAL

succeeded in establishing peace between the parties, and that tho newly-built
fortifications bad been demolished, Before this satisfactory settlement bad
bren arrived at, some slight casualties bad occurred. From January to the end
of the official year, with the exception of one or two isolated cases of murder on
sudden provocation or in payment of old scores, but which have bad no tribal
significance, complete tranquility has prevailed in Mask at and Oman.
p
Dhofnr and 8. In tho distant province of r ho far no events of any importance ha vo been
Sober. reported. Wall Sulaiman-bin-Suweilim still continues in nominal charge of tbo
district, but administers it through his Negro Deputy while lie himself continues
to rule the Sohar district, which also experienced a year of un-listurbcd quiet.
Sur. 9. This port or Oman was in evidenco a good deal at the beginning of the
year owing to the Sultan’s visit there and to incidents connected with the use of
the French flag by some of the Jenebeh and Beni Abu Ali, dhow-owners of that
port. Though Sur is hut SO odd miles from Mask at and one of the largest
outlying ports in his territory, strango to say the Sultan bad never previously
set foot in the place since be succeeded bis father Saiyid Turki twelve years
ago, and bis relations with his Suri subjects had always been of a strained and
unsatisfactory nature. On the occasion of his recent visit, however, which took
place opportunely at the season (June) when all tho dhows aro back from
their peregrinations in the Indian Ocean and lie beached upon the banks of
the Sur Creek for their annual overhauling, His Highness was extremely well
received by tho community, and cn the news of his arrival reaching the near
interior, the Chief of the Beni Abu Ali, Ahdulla-bin-Salim, hurried in from
Jaalan with a force of 1,200 armed men to do him honour.
Sultan's tours. 3 0. During the year underreport His Highness the Sultan moved about, in his
territory, whether ou long or short excursions, more frequently and to a greater
extent than be has ever done in the past, and I am assured by natives witli
knowledge of what is passing in the interior that his increased energy in ibis
regard has resulted in some enhancement of the practical respect with which
lie is held in the interior. I am also of opinion that the restoration to the
Yazirship of his old family retainer Saiyid Saecd-bin-.Uabomcd and the
consequent benefit of the latter’s experienced counsels have also tended not
a little to improve HU Highness’s position and relations with his subjects of the
hinterland. In any case it is certain that he shows more inclination to leave
his capital from time to time and move about among his subje- in the inte­
rior than has hitherto been his habit, and this can hardly fail to extond and
strengthen his influence among them.
Political 11. The Political Agent during the year \i$ited the ports of the Batineh
Agoufs tours- Coast, viz., S.*eb, Burka, Suwcik, Kkaboora, Soliar and Shenas,aud to the south of
Maskat, Kurryat and Sur. The communities of British Indian traders at those
places seemed to he prospering and contented. There were irdeed a few com­
plaints of the Sultan’s TTalis being unable or disinclined lo enforce for them the
payment of acknowledged debts by their Arab customers, to which the Sultan’s
attention was drawn, and there was the general complaint that Customs duty
was levied in full from them while Arabs from the interior paid or not as they
chose. The Sultan is endeavouring to better the state of things in this respect,
at all events at the larger ports, but the difficulty is one which has always
existed and which only time and the gradual strengthening of the ruler's
administration and influence will effectively eliminate.
12. Customs.—An interesting feature of the year under review has been
General.
the administration of the Customs by the Sultan’s own arrangements.
From time immemorial it had been the habit of the rulers of Maskat to
sell annually to one of the Banian traders the right to collect “ Customs ” at
Maskat and Muttra, and this individual practically became banker to the local
Government for the current year. This was a convenient arrangement from
some points of view, hut on the expiry of the last contract His Highness, bein';
in a prosperous financial position at the time, determined to try the experiment of
levying the Customs dues himself, and it is satisfactory to know that after
a complete year's experience ho finds his revenuo increased, after paying
expenses, by about 20,000 dollars. Considering that this is tho first year of
a new organisation, the levy has been carried on with reasonable efficiency and