Page 166 - PERSIAN 5 1905_1911

In addition to occasional inspections of coast ports a visit was paid in
December to the distant province of Dhufar. This trip was undertaken partly in
the interests of the Gazetteer, and partly to examine certain inscriptions of pro.
Islamic origin said still to exist in the ruins of A1 Balaid. No trace could be found
of anything pre-Islamic ; the oldest inscription found is that upon the marble tomb­
stone of A1 Malik Ibrahim bin MuzafTir, who is supposed to have been the first Arab
Governor of the province. He died in A. H. 710.
X.—RESIDENT’S VISITS.
Major P. Z. Cox, C.I.E., Political Resident in the Persian Gulf, visited Maskat
in May, arriving on the 15th and leaving on the 17th, and again in July and Novem­
ber staying for two days each time. Visits were exchanged between him and His
Highness the Sultan.
XI.—NAVY.
His Excellency Vice Admiral Sir E. Poe, Naval Commander-in-Chief, visited
Maskat in H. M. S. Hermes on 22nd April 1906 on his return from the Persian
Gulf, leaving on the 23rd. Official visits were dispensed with on this occasion.
Other ships of His Majesty’s navy which have been at Maskat during the past
official year are the Diadem, Fox, Highflyer, Lapwing, Proserpine, Redbreast
and Sphinx. The R. I. M. Lawrence and the Government Telegraph steamer
Patrick Stewart also visited the port.
XII. —FOREIGN NAVIES.
The French torpedo destroyers Javeline, Rapiere, Sabre and Francisque
arrived in Maskat from Bombay on 13th March and remained until the 17th.
Their Commanders called on His Highness the Sultan, who returned their visit on
board the Javeline, being saluted on his departure with 21 guns from each vessel.
The four Captains also exchanged private visits with the Political Agent.
No other Foreign Navy was represented in 1906-1907.
XIII. —OFFICIAL CHANGES.
Major W. G. Grey held charge of the Political Agency from the beginning of
the official year until July 24th, and from 5th November until its close. In the
interim he proceeded on privilege leave, and Lieutenant W. H. I. Shakespear offi­
ciated.
Monsieur R. Laronce held charge of the French Consulate during the year. On
October 15th Mr. Archibald Mackirdy of Messrs. W. J. Towell & Company, who has
acted as Consul for the United States of America for several years, handed over
charge to Mr. W. Coffin, Member of the United States Consular sendee, who has
been appointed Consul at Maskat on the re-organization of the service by his
Government.
The relations between the Political Agent and his Foreign colleagues have been
most cordial throughout the year.
Captain W. Lethbridge, I.M.S., was Agency Surgeon at Maskat until
December 6th, when he proceeded on leave on relief by Captain N. Scott, I.M.o.,
who still holds the appointment.
W. G. GREY, Major,
Political Agent <& His Britannic Majesty's
Consul, Maskat.