Page 129 - PERSIAN 5 1905_1911

POLITICAL RESIDENCY FOR 1003-1907. 25
work as was practicable under the circumstances. At Chighakhor the Khans
there made considerable use of hiB services.
6. In February 1907 the superintending charge of the medical arrangements
at Ahwaz were transferred from the hands of the Consular Surgeon at Kermanshah
to those of the Residency Surgeon at Bushire.
The present Medical Establishment consists of one Hospital Assistant and
one Farash.
6. The average daily attendance at the Dispensary has been 42*25 per diem.
A. certain number of outside cases have also been attended to the pecuniary ad­
vantage of the Hospital Assistant.
The large majority of cases treated are not of a serious nature and no opera­
tions, except of a minor character, have been performed. The eight wounded
soldiers mentioned in last year’s report were all progressing favourably when they
were removed during the Vice-Consul’s absence under orders from the Governor
of Shushter.
In one or two cases bullets have been extracted from wounded men.
Southern Arabist an.
7. Shaikh Khazal the Sardar Arfa\ with the assistance of Haji Rais ut Tujjar
has continued to exercise over the tribes of the province the dual authority of
hereditary Chief and Persian Governor.
At Nasiri, Shaikh Hanzal remained in charge of affairs until the end of June,
when, under some arrangement with the Sardar Mukarram, he was deputed to
Dizful with 300 or 400 sowars. Returning thence in August 1906 he was posted
to Behbahan.
His place at Nasiri has been supplied by his brother Haji Shaikh Rahman,
a worthless creature devoid of either character or dignity, who spends the greater
part of his time and energy in opium-smoking. Such an appointment proves
the well known fact of the absolute dearth of men at Shaikh Khazal’s command
who have even such a minute acquaintance with the world and affairs as is neces­
sary in the incumbent at Nasiri. Shaikh Hanzal returned to Nasiri shortly before
the end of March but did not resume charge there.
8. Shaikh Khazal*s growing power and influence have suffered no known
check during the year. On the other hand the sphere of his influence has been
extended by the conferment on him of the Governorship of Bchbahan including
the Kuhgalu tribe (though this is hardly to be regarded as permanency: and in­
deed he withdrew his representative at the end of March) and by his having, it
would appear, borne a share with the Sardar Makarram in the expense of policing
the country to the south and west of DizfuL
In connection with the latter point he entered into direct communication
with Khanjan Khan, whom he later deputed to maintain a body of sowars at
Behbahan. A suggestion that he should establish himself with a force of sowars
at Kut Nahr Haslnm on the outskirts of the Hawiza district, was rejected by
Khanjan.
9. The Shaikh’s relations with the strong Governor of Shushter, the Sardar
Mukarram, continue to grow at least outwardly in cordiality, and it is clear that
they have agreed to regulate affairs affecting both in amity. More it would be
unsafe to affirm.
Hawiza and the Beni Turut.
10. The outbreak which took place at Hawiza in March 1906 and was men­
tioned in last year’8 report was terminated by the flight of its instigator Haji
Sabhan, of the Beni Turuf. No further trouble arose until November when the
sons of Ali Minaishid and Zair Ali, who had been in charge of the Beni Turuf, began
to make the usual difficulties about meeting the revenue demands. About this
time Haji Sabhan reappeared on the scene. He was induced to come in to Shaikh
Khaz’al at Failiya. Negotiations followed which resulted in his being appointed
to the charge of the Beni Turuf. Being the man with the greatest influence in
the tribe there is more hope of order being maintained when he is in office
when be is in the opposition. No recrudescence of trouble has yet taken pUoa,