Page 172 - PERSIAN 5 1905_1911

68 ADMINISTRATION RETORT OF THE PERSIAN GULF

In November 1006 a young Arab woman, who had been divorced bv her hus
band took sanctuary in the Political Agency, stating that her life had been threat'
ened by her father and uncle. She was placed in the temporary charge of tho
American Mission and her relations were communicated with. ' The result was
unfortunate, and the woman suddenly disappeared about a week after her taking
refuge. It is believed that she must have been helped out of the island by her
native friends, but nothing ever was discovered as to her subsequent fate. 7
The relations made an outcry, and a memorial was submitted to the Chief
signed by all his principal Muhammadan subjects, protesting against the Political
Agent’s treatment of the case. On receipt of the memorial from Shaikh Esa, the
Political Agent replied that it would be forwarded to the Government of India for
consideration, and also stated that neither lie nor the missionary who had "iven
the woman shelter knew anything about her going or whereabouts. The agitation
then died down as quickly as it had arisen, and no further reference was made to
the case.
In September 1906 a subordinate of the Basra Post and Telegraph Department
arrived in Bahrain to take over the duties, hitherto performed by a local Mullah, in
connection with the transmittance of mails between Hasa and Katif on the one side
and Basra on the other. It is not believed that the incumbent of the post, Abdur
Rahim bin Haji Othman, was entrusted with any political mission, but he seems
rather to have tried to acquire an official position over the lesser Turkish subjects
in the place, and his actions are now being carefully watched.

MOVEMENTS OF THE CHIEF AND HIS FAMILY.
Shaikh Esa left Muharraq for his summer residence near Manama on the 3rd
July and returned to his winter quarters
Movements of the Chief and his family.
in Muharraq on the 30th September.
He spent about 27 days during the year in camp, shooting and hawking.
Shaikh Abdallah bin Esa left on a hunting expedition for Linga on the 8th
December and returned to Bahrain on the 29th idem.
Shaikh Muhammad bin Esa sailed for the mainland near Katif on the llth
December for the purpose of hawking and returned home five days later.
The Chief’s eldest son, Shaikh Hamad, spent the greater part of the cold
weather at Sakhir in the centre of the island, where he has a house.
KATAR.
The peace of the Peninsula during the past year has been little disturbed, and
the general pearling community enjoyed for some time a prosperous outlook in
consequence of the abnormal prices they were ostensibly receiving from Shaikh
Jasim bin Thani and the other few wholesale exporters for their pearls. A financial
cloud has, however, since obscured the sky, as the drafts granted in part-payment
have in many cases been dishonoured and the big buyers are talking of going into
bankruptcy in order to get their liabilities reduced all round.
The Political Resident accompanied by the Political Agent paid a visit in the
Lawrence to Lusail, Doha, Hakra and Odaid in May 1906. At the first-named
place a friendly interview was effected with Shaikh Jasim bin Thani and his son-in-
law Nasir bin Mubarak. At Doha and Wakra no members of the Bin Thani family
were present.
In the garrison town a call was made upon the Turkish Commandant of the
port, who was urged to make an effoit to capture the pirate Ahmad bin Salman.
In Wakra a visit was paid to the house of the headman of the A1 bu’Ainam tribe,
and the Resident’s party also walked out to inspect the fort and wells outside t ic
town.
The inlet of Odaid was traversed in a steam boat for several miles, but no
human being was sighted in the locality.
The absence of Shaikh Abdallah bin Jasim was explained by his having led a
small punitive expedition against the predatory Bani liajir and Manasir tri •
In July Shaikh Abdallah led another expedition as far as Salwa, andlus
advance party attacked a settlement further north of Sufaira killing 1- c 0