Page 165 - PERSIAN 5 1905_1911

POLITICAL RESIDENCY FOR 1000.1007. 61
list should be registered as being the property of the persons against
whose names they were entered. Hut Major Grey as a result of care­
ful enquiry found (i) that some of the dhow owners arc not strictly
entitled to authorisation as they do not actually possess a dhow at
the present time, and (ii) that many of the dhows are not the property
of the persons against whose names they were entered.
The question of the list was therefore referred to Europe, and certain matters
connected with it are still being discussed between London and Paris. It is almost
certain that a settlement will be arrived at before the end of fhe present official
year ; and in the meantime, the fact that clause 0 of the arbitration award has
already been put in force has strengthened the Sultan's position in connection
with Sur, a fact of which he hopes shortly to take advantage.
VI.—SLAVE TRADE.
Forty-six slaves applied for freedom at this Agency during 1906-1907. Of these
forty-one were supplied with manumission papers; the other five being found not
to be entitled to freedom under treaty stipulations. With regard to the latter a
bond was taken in each case by His Highness the Sultan from the master ensuring
their good treatment in future. Of the forty-one freed twenty-six were Africans
and fifteen Mekranis, all elected to remain in Maskat. but four of the Africans were
sent to Bombay, it not appearing advisable to allow them to remain in Oman.
In addition to the above, eleven Mekranis applied to the Agency for assistance
in the recovery of some of their relatives from Oman and the Trucial Coast. Those
in Oman were secured and made over, and letters were given in the other cases to
the Shargah Agent who has also effected some recoveries.
At the first glance the deciease in the number of slaves now applying for
freedom seems curious, but the explanation is no doubt that organized slave trade
between Oman and the African ports has for some years ceased to exist, and that
the measures taken to terminate the importation of Baluchis and Persian slaves
from Persian Mekran into His Highness's territories have been successful to a great
extent. In connection with this trade there no longer seems to be regular work
for His Majesty’s ships in this immediate neighbourhood which is satisfactory.

VII.—MARINE.
Another case of looting on the Oman Coast unfortunately has to be reported.
At the end of September the dhow “ Ganja Alamdad,”the property of Abdul Husain
Ismailji of Cutch, coming from Xossi Be to Cutch Mandvie, stranded in the vicinity
of Ras Madraka; and, according to the statements of the Nakhuda, crew, and pas­
sengers, was looted by the Jennebeh and other Bedouins residing or wandering
in the neighbourhood. The principal difficulties in these cases are to determine
with any degree of accuracy the amount of indemnity which can reasonably be
demanded on account of the damage for which the thieves are responsible, and to
know exactly upon whom to fasten the guilt, as the natives of this part of the coast
are not, strictly speaking, under the rule of any well known Shaikh who could be
held responsible. Every enquiry is being made with a view to the settlement of
the case.
VIII.—RAIN FA LL.
The rainfall of 1905-1900 was peculiarly favourable to the date plantation of
Oman and the result was one of the best crops ever produced in the countrv. This
year it is said to have been equally good and another bumper crop is hoped for.
In Maskat and Matrah the rainfall has again been about the average ; and there,
have been no storms of any magnitude this year upon the coast.

IX.—MOVEMENTS OK THE POLITICAL AC EXT.
Much of the Political Agent’s time last year was taken up with the collection
and correction of material for the Oman section of the Persian Gulf Gazetteer,
p ru,us difficulties have been met with owing to much of the country being closed to
Europeans and in consequence very little known; it is hoped howcver° that the
general result of the work done will be satisfactory.