Page 175 - PERSIAN 2 1879_1883

residency and MUSCAT POLITICAL AGENCY FOR 1880-81. 7

and suspended and confined by tlie commandant and other officials. A
Commission was sent to investigate the matter, on whose report 'Abdul
Gbannec Pasha was reinstated.
The robber Chief of the Beni-Htfjir, Za’ecd-bin-Mohamracd, is
still at large, and was heard of in El-Katr as described below.
El-Katr.—The year passed ou the whole quietly as regards the sea,
the ouly piracies reported beiug committed by Za'oed-biu-Moharamed
as usual, but they were trifling. In June it was reported that this
worthy had seized a vessel belonging to Jdsiin-biu-Mohammcd with
Uupces 2UU or 800 worth of pearls, and he subsequently was said to have
captured a boat belonging to El-Wakrah, the people of which place
pursued him unsuccessfully. Za’ecd must be in a comparatively affluent
circumstances from the proceeds of his exploits by sea and land; and as
there seems no prospect of his being brought to account by the Turkish
authorities, it is to be hoped he may feel in a position to retire from the
business of piracy. Any remonstrances with the Turkish authorities
are usually met by the simple plan of denying the facts.
The old Shaikh of the Al-bu-Kuwarab, Moharamed-bin-Sa'ecd,
has died.
Some raids have occurred in the vicinity of El-Bida'a, the
Manfiseer and 'Awatnir Bedouins being the aggressors. These affairs
are likely to become more serious in the future.
The proceedings of Nasir-bin-Mubarik have been described under
head of Bahraiu.
A complaiut was made of unjust imprisonment and ill-treatment
of two Hindoo traders at El-Bida’a by order of the Kadhi, a Turkish
official. In this case Jasim-biu-Mohammed-Thani took the part of
the traders. The case was referred to the Turkish Arabian authorities ;
through the Political Agent .Tiie Kadhi was subsequently removed.
El-Bida’a was visited by Her Majesty's Ships Beacon and Woodlark.
The latter grounded on a saud-bank at the entrance of the harbour, and
the inhabitants exerted themselves satisfactorily, and were remunerated
for their labour and boats.
The Turkish gun-boat Zohnff and despatch vessel Arkadi have been
stationed ou the Hasa Coast, the latter having lain about a month at
Bahrain.

5.—Southern Persia and Persian Beloocuistan.
Aralitlan.—No changes of importance have occurred in this pro­
vince, which continues under the rule of His Royal Highness the
Zil-es-Sultan. Haji Jabir Khan, Nusrut-ul-Mulk, Governor of Aloham-
raerab, has somewhat rallied in health.
Fart.—The government of Fare remained in the hands of His
Royal Highness Prince Farhad Mirza, Mo’temid-ed-Dowlah, until the
expiration of the Persian official year, which ends at the vernal equinox,
or Nowroz. Sometime after that dute it became known that His
Royal Highness the Zil-cs-Sultan had been nominated Governor of