Page 213 - PERSIAN 5 1905_1911

AND TIIE MASKAT POLITICAL AGENCY FOR THE YEAR 1007 1008. 29

CHAPTER II.
ADMINISTRATION REPORT OF HIS BRITANNIC MAJESTY’S VICE­
CONSULATE, ARABISTAN, AHVVAZ, FOR THE YEAR 1907-
1908.
Ahwaz.

Matters Vice-Consulate.
1. Staff.—Captain U. L. R. Lorimer, I.A., retained charge of the Vice-
Consulate throughout the year.
The Indian escort of 12 sowars after the completion of its term of three
years was relieved in the middle of December. At the same time, for reasons
which will be explained, the strength of the escort was increased by two
British officers and 20 rifles (8 sowars and 12 infantry). This contingent
arrived under the charge of Lieutenant "Wilson, I.A., who was shortly after­
wards joined by Lieutenant Ranking, I.A. Also in December the Hospital
Assistant, who had held charge since January 1906, was roplaced by another
and allowed to return to India.
2. Tours.—The usual hot weather tour of the Vice-Consul occupied from
May 10th to October 24th, and in July he visited the Legation at Tehran on
special summons.
This tour also included two visits to Shushtor and one to Dizful, and a
journey among the Surklm and A1 Kathir Arabs, living between the Diz and
Karkha rivers.
A further tour was made in the Bakhtiari Garmsir, which occupied from
January 2nd to February 1th, in the course of which Mamatain and Maidan
Munaftun wnre visited.
3. Medical.—The dispensary was maintained throughout the year at
Ahwaz. The daily average attendance for the mouths April to November was
44’22, which rose to 8178 for the period December to March, which succeeded
the appointment of the new Hospital Assistant.
Medical relief is sought not only by the local inhabitants, but also by the
Bedouin Arabs of the District and the people of Shushter and Dizful.
1. Building of a Vice-Consulate.—This project formed the subject of
negotiation between His Britannic Majesty’s Political Resident in the Persian
Gulf and Sheikh KliazaT, but has not been dealt with from Ahwaz. It is
understood that an agreement satisfactory to both parties is within sight.
Mr. Laffcre, the Assistant Engineer in the Persian Gulf, visited Ahwaz in the
beginning of February for the purpose of inspecting the site and making
enquiries relative to building material.
5. Bousing.—At the commencement of the year, the escort had to vacate
their quarters, and owing to the excessive graspingness of the Nasiri people it
was not found possible to obtain new' quarters until November.
At the beginning of the year quarters were also leased for the dispensary
Hospital Assistant and Head Clerk, not without considerable difficulty.
Southern Ababistan.
6. Sheikh Khaza’l, Sardar Arfa, retained his position as overlord of the
tribes and titular Persian Governor, and he continued to enjoy the services of
his righthand man Haji Rais-ut-Tujjar, who in spite of increasing age and
physical attenuation continues to display his habitual marvellous mental and
physical activity.
At Nasiri Haji Sheikh Rahama continued to act as Deputy Governor until
May, when he gave place again to his brother Sheikh Hanzal, who returned at
that time from Behbahan.