Page 259 - PERSIAN 5 1905_1911

'W

AND TFIE MASKAT POLITICAL AGENCY FOR THE YEAR 1907-1908: 75
Early in May, some six or seven coolies working in the oxide quarries at calamities.
Hormuz,, wcro buried alive through nn overhanging bank falling in on them.
Earthquake shocks were experienced upon three distinct occasions, that
on the 4th July being especially severe.
Visits have been paid to Lingah (twice) and Bassidu on several occasions. Tours.
The latter place by reason of its open situation and good water supply, affords
a welcome change from the oppressive climatical conditions of Bunder Abbas.
Owing to the want of a seaworthy vessel, it was not possible to visit the Beya-
ban coast and, as a result, inconvenience has several times been experienced
through inability to establish friendly relations with the local Mirs. The
disturbed state of the district prevented the journey being undertaken by land,
while it was not considered advisable to risk a visit to the exposed shores of
Beyaban in the' small Consulate boat. Eor this purpose, a9 well as for paying
periodical visits to Lingah and the islands in this Consulate’s jurisdiction, a
small steam launch would be invaluable.
The Arab rdgimo on the island has enjoyed complete immunity from Henjam.
Persian interference throughout the year and with the exception of the small
Customs post and the flaustalf, both within the limits of our telegraph station,
there is no visible sign of the Persian claim to sovereignty over the island.
H. M. Ss. Lapwing and Redbreast havo visited the port from time to time. jJalfne11*1
The Sphinx also called in October.
The Balrick Stewart and the R.I.M.S. Lawrence entered the port several
times.
The R. P. Surprise arrived in February and after leaving was obliged
to put back with defects in her machinery. She eventually sailed for the
Upper Gulf via the Clarence Straits.
Monsieur G. Ovseenko, the Russian Consul, continued to hold charge Russian
throughout the year. In August he proceeded to Siahu, 40 miles to the north Consulate.-
of Bunder Abbas, with the intention of remaining there until the end of the hot
weather, but the heat coupled with the disturbances in the vicinity, compelled
him to return early in September.
Monsieur Bclayew, Consular Assistant, proceeded to Russia on the 22nd
December and his place was taken by M. Matthieu, said to be an officer of
Cossacks, who had arrived on the 7th September.
The Consular escort was relieved by the arrival of 10 Cossacks on board
the S. S. Euphrates early in September, the relieved escort returning to the
frontier via Kerman.
The Sadid-es-Sultaneh and Mirza Assadulla Khan (known as “the
Sartip M) have in turn represented Russia at Lingah and both there and in
Bunder Abbas have taken a leading part in the inauguration of the local
Assemblies and in the direction of their deliberations.
Mirza Abul Kasim, formerly in the employ of the Residency, was for some
time on the .Mokran Coast collecting information for the Russian Consulate.
He also visited Alaskat, Lingah and the Pirate Coast,, but has not latterly been
seen in Bunder Abbas.
Lieutenant C. H. Gabriel continued to hold charge as Assistant Resident Official ob ange£
and His Britannic Majesty’s Consul throughout the year.
A tubular statement of the rceorded daily observations is attached. Temperature
records.
C. H GABRIEL, Lieutenant,
Assistant Resident and Sis Britannic Majesty's Consult
Bunder Abbas.

v