Page 136 - PERSIAN 9 1931_1940

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I commenced calling also at Shargah, according to the terms of the Air Port
Agreement with the Shaikh of that place mentioned above.
Messrs. Frank C. Strick & Co., Limited, steamers continued to call at Debai
as formerly.
; The German Ilansa Lino steamers continued to call at Debai during the
year, and landed small consignments of cargo.
G. Pearl Fisheries.—Shargah dhows found two largish pearls which were
sold for Rs. 32,000 and Rs. 17,000, respectively, otherwise the season must bo
considered as moderate. The pearl market was still bad, though some rise in
prices occurred towards the end of the year.
7. Internal Affairs.—In the hinterland there was the normal amount of
petty tribal raiding and counter-raiding with the customary camel stealing and
occasional murders. With these, however, provided that they do not assume
serious proportions and spread to the coastal ports where they might endanger
British interests, this Residency is not directly concerned. Such incidents
may in fact almost be regarded as an equivalent for the sports and pastimes,
cinemas and what not, with which more civilised peoples fill in their spare time.
Inter-tribal quarrels were settled in Arab fashion on Arab lines, now and then
with the assistance of the Residency Agent as un-official peace-maker.
•8. Slave Traffic.—This traffic was non-existant. Six slaves escaping from
their owners took refuge with the Residency Agent, who, according to precedent,
referred their cases to the Resident, who issued them with manumission cer­
tificates.
9. Arms Traffic.—No cases under this heading came to light.

T. C. FOWLE,
Lieut.-Colonel,
Political Resident in the Persian Gulf.

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