Page 163 - PERSIAN 5 1905_1911

POLITICAL RESIDENCY FOR 1000.190?. 59

Saif bin Muhsin, the Siyabi Chief, to deliver these persons up to him for punishment,
but the Shaikh declined on the ground of absence of proof and appealed to the
Harithis to help him out of the difficulty. Shaikh ’Isa professes to have refused to
listen to him and expressed his readiness to make war upon the Siyabiyin
provided that the Sultan would first allow a discussion to take place on the subject,
cither between him and Saiyid Taimur, or between one of his followers and a person
specially deputed by His Highness ; the interview to take place either at Samayil
or at Maskat. His Highness has declined discussion, and still believing in the com­
plicity of the Hinavis in the murder is unwilling to accept their offer of assistance.
He has some hope that the matter may be arranged and culprits secured
through the assistance of the Ghafiri leader Shaikh Abdullah bin Salim, but
this Chief has hitherto shewn no disposition to help, partly because he is convinced
that the Harithis were the murderers, and partly on account of his being annoyed
with Sir Saiyid Faisal owing to the latter having refused his mediation in connection
with the recent revolt of the Bani Riyam.
There is no doubt that the loss of Sulaiman bin Suwailim is a very serious
one to the Sultan. His influence was felt more or less in every part of the country
which is to any extent subject to the rule of His Highness, and in Dhufar in parti­
cular, the services rendered by him in connection with the establishment of law and
order and the recognition of Sir Saiyid Faisal as ruler can hardly be overestimated.
It will be difficult to replace him ; neither of his sons seem to have inherited their
father’s energy and capability, and the number of persons at His Highness’s
disposal who are really qualified to act as Governors of outlying districts is very
small at the present time.
II.—EPIDEMICS AND CASUALTIES.
The health of Oman during the summer was normal, and no epidemics properly
so called occurred in 1906-1907. But malarial fever has been prevalent to an ex­
traordinary extent throughout the recent cold weather. Mosquitoes have been far
more numerous than they usually are, which is difficult to explain as the only pool
of stagnant water to be found in Maskat is brackish, and a search that was
made therein for mosquito larvae was unproductive. It is said that from December
to March inclusive there was hardly a house in the town and its suburbs in which
at least one malarial case could not be
Malarial fever in Maskat.
found; and that the average, if taken,
would have exceeded one per dwelling. The small community of Europeans and
clerks, notwithstanding the comparative healthiness of their quarters, have suffered
severely, no person having entirely escaped and one or two having been compelled
to leave their posts either temporarily or permanently ; while the frequent indis­
position of individuals ha3 thrown additional work upon their comrades. Moreover,
there have been seven reported cases of blackw’ater fever, of which five have
proved fatal, including one European, and it is believed that other cases have
occurred which have not come to the notice of the medical authorities.
The quarantine arrangements underwent no change during the year; they were
carried on as hitherto under the surveillance of the Agency Surgeon and no com­
plaint of importance was made against his administration.
A serious calamity fell upon the unfortunate town of Nizwa on the 8th Feb­
ruary. A flood occasioned by recent
Flood at Nizwa.
heavy rains carried away the quarter
known as Harat-ul-Wadi; about sixty lives were lost and man}7 families rendered
homeless. The quarter has since been rebuilt to some extent and the sufferers
redomiciled.
Fires occurred occasionally in Maskat and Matrah, but none were of any mag­
nitude or importance.
III.—CUSTOMS AND FINANCE.
In connection with the Customs there are no changes to report. The depart­
ment has been administered throughout the year by the former staff with the Bania
Damodar Dharamsi as supervisor ; and owing to the increase in the importation
of arms and ammunition elsewhere commented upon, and the almost unprecedented
date crop of 1906, a decided improvement has taken place in the Sultan’s financial
condition. It is believed that the imperial debts amount now to about $40,000
only, $20,000 of which are owing to various merchants as money paid by them
t 2