Page 132 - PERSIAN 9 1931_1940

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the suspects to be banded over to justice, in accordance with the
Muscat-Onum Agreement of 1923, has failed to elicit anything but
evasive replies and vague counter charges of breaches • of the
Treaty.
(d) In November ITis Highness convened the leaders of the Kumazarah
and Shihuh tribes (o appoint, by election, a Sheikh for the Dihlmh
area. By a majority of votes Zaid bin Sinan was elected, thus
settling a problem on which many previous attempts had proved
unsuccessful.
Events in Oman.—There were no events of outstanding importance during
the year.
Various minor inter-tribal squabbles have been reported from time to time
and the relations between the Imam and the Sheikh of Jabal Aklular appear to
continue strained.
Trade and General.—The world wide depression in trade has had serious
repercussions in Muscat and many local Muscati merchants and petty traders
have been ruined.
Lack of rain lias bad an adverse effect in both the quality and quantity of
dates exported, whilst financial depression in both European and Eastern
markets has more or less eliminated the source of income derived from the
export of fish manure.
The tightness of money has driven many more litigants to the local Courts
than in previous years.
The increase in the State revenues, despite adverse circumstances, is attri­
butable to the general tightening up of the methods of revenue collection and
the drastic reduction of overhead charges.
Muscat Infantry—Command of the Muscat Infantry has remained through­
out the year in the hands of Captain R. G. Alban in addition to his other duties.
The numbers of the Corps have now been brought up to normal strength,
i.e., 150 but, in conformity with the general scheme of economy certain reduc­
tions in pay and the number of non-commissioned officers has been effected.
The Corps continued to find the Agency Guard.
C. E. U. BREMNER, Major,
Political Agent and H. B. M.*s Constd, Muscat.