Page 11 - PERSIAN 4 1890_1899

1

ADMINISTRATION REPORT

OP THB
PERSIAN GULF POLITICAL RESIDENCY

AND

MUSCAT POLITICAL AGENCY
POE

1890-91.

Past I.-GENERAL SUMMARY.

After a tenure of office extending, with only two breaks, over a period of
more than eighteen years, Colonel Ross was relieved by Major Talbot on the
2fiih March last and proceeded to England on two years* furlough.

1.—’OMAN-MUSCAT STATE.
The annual report of the Muscat State has been drawn up by Colonel
Uockler, and forms Part II of this compilation. The chief events of the year
have been the plunder of a caravan in November, by some tribes of the Semail
valley, which resulted in the closure of the trade routes from the Sharkiyah for
several months, and the destruction by fire of a portion of the Khaboorah bazar
in Pebruary last; the circumstances of this latter incident are under reference
to the Government of India.
A new commercial treaty with Muscat was signed towards the close of
the last official year.
The export returns show that the unsettled state of the country has affect­
ed trade, for, excluding a larger specie remittance than usual, which swells
the total, the value of produce shipped is markedly less than in the previous
year.
A destructive cyclone in June, accompanied by a high tidal wave, did
much damage to the town of Muscat, aud many houses are still in ruins.

8.—’OMAN PIRATE COAST.
The confederacy between the Chiefs of Ras«ul-Khaimah, Um-ul-Kawain,
and Shargah, mentioned in the last report, was still in force at the commence­
ment of this year, when the three former Chiefs visited Shargah. They were
joined by the Chief of Ajman, who was believed to intend taking a more active
part than hitherto in the support of the Jow&sim against Debay.
The Chief of Ras-ul-Khaimah, in concert with some of the lading man
at Shargah, endeavoured to arrange terms of peace with Debay, the Chief of
which had recently sent a declaration of war against Shargah. This, however,
sms against the wishes of the Chief of 8hargah, and the Residency Agent, who
had been consulted by them in the matter, was unable to more in it