Page 116 - Records of Bahrain (3) (i)_Neat

106 Records oj Bahrain

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No, 404, dated Maektit, tho 4th Novorabor 1898.
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From—Major C. G. F. Faoan, Political Agent and Her Britannio Majesty's Consul,
Mnskat,
To—Tho Socrotaryto tho Govornmout of India, Foreign Department.
In obedience to orders received from Ibo Political Resident in tho Persian
Gulf, regarding tlio procedure as to tho nrms soizod on tho “ Baluchistnn,”
forwarded to mo under cover of his letter No. II 0.,.dated 4th February 1898,
I have the honour to submit, herewith, copy of tho proceedings taken on tlio
application of Messr^A^ and T. J. Malcolm, British subjects of Bushire,
made to me for tho release of thirteen cases‘’of’'A'fftlS*' 'and^Tntmm U ion seized
by H.M.8. "Lapwing” on S.S. " Baluchistan,” and coudemued by His
Highness tho Sultan’s High Court at Mnskat.

.Proceedings, 8th August 1898.
Mr. Rattansee Puvshottnm appears on behalf of the firm of Messrs. A. and
T. J. Malcolm, and requests tho good offices of Her Britannio Majesty’s
Consul in obtaining tho release of 13 cases of arms and ammunition seized on
tho 8.8. 11 Baluchistan” by H.M.S. “Lapwing” on tho 21th January 1898,
under the authority of His Highness the Sultan of Maskat, aud condemned by
His Highness’s Court on the 16th April 1898.
The Powor-of-Attorney is produced and found to ho in order.
Rattansee Purshottam states :—
1 produce tho bill-of-lading for tho! cases in question, from which it will
he seen that the goods in question were shipped for Bushire, optional Maskut*.
i Tho actual destination was to ho notified 18 hours before tho arrival of the
steamer at Maskat.
I produce documentary evidence to prove that, on tho 10th December 1897,
Isaac Hollis and Sons, the shippers, telegraphed by direction of Malcolm to
Strick & Co., Agents of the S.S. “ Baluchistan,” to arrange for tho landing ut
Maskat of the arms and ammunition shipped to thorn by that steamer; and
that on tho 18tli December Malcolm wroto to To well & Co., Agents for the
Baluchistan” at Maskat, to tho same effoct.
From this it will be seen that the arms and ammunition* were bond fide
meant for Maskat, and as such they were not liable to seizure. This procedure
of sending goods to Bushire, optional Maskat, is quite usual and has often been
done before, and I am prepared to produce my books to show that the destina­
tion of arms and ammunition belonging to Malcolm and shipped for Bushire
have on previous occasions been landed at Maskat and sold here by me for
Malcolm. Messrs. Towoll & Co. are also able to give evidence in support of
my statement.
Signed in vernacular, i.o.,
Rattansee Pueshottam.

Read and admitted correct.
Maskat ; (Sd.) • C. G. F. Fagan,
The 8th Avgust 1898. Her Britannio Majesty's Consul.

Case adjourned till Thursday, 11th August, to enablo potitionor's Agont
to produce documentary evidence in support of his statement. Mr. Maokirdy
of To well Sc Oo. to be summoned to givo evidence as to truth or otherwise of
petitioner's Agent's statement.
Maskat ; ) (Sd.) C. G. F. Fagan,
The 8th August 1898. Her Britannio Majesty's Consul.
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