Page 290 - PERSIAN 5 1905_1911

106 ADMINISTRATION REPORT OF THE PERSIAN GULF POLITICAL RESIDENCY
Commo'loro and tlio Political Resident landed and an informal visit was paid
to Sheikh Jabir, who took His Exoollcuoy and his party round the town
of Koweit.
On the following day, Sheikh Mubarak returned from Sirra, where ho had
been for some days, and His Excellency paid him an official visit accompanied
hv tho Political Resident* the Political Agent and the Flag Lieutenant of
H. M. S. Hyacinth. Tho visit was returned at the Agency houso by tho
Sheikh himsolf, who then left for Sirra and invited Uis Excellency and
his party there. In the evening, His Excolloncy, tho Political Resident and
the officers of the flagship accompanied by the Political Agent and Mrs. Knox
and Sheikh Jabir rode to Sirra. His Excellency tho Commander-in-Chief and
his party woro met at two miles from Sheikh Mubarak’s camp by tho younger
members of tho Sheikh’s family and about 40 Bedouin horsomen w’ho galloped
across the line backwards and forwards shouting tho Subah war cry and
firing rifles. Sheikh Mubarak himself met tho Commodore’s party about half
a mile from his tents. Tho whole cavalcade then rode on and were received
in a largo Persian tent. Here the guests wore treated to light refreshment
during whi h time speeches suitable to the occasion were exohangod between
the Commodore and the Sheikh. A display of beautiful Omani dromedaries
and droves of tho Sheikh’s riding camels were an interesting feature of the visit.
Dinner, of which the Sheikh himself partook, was then served to the party in
European fashion.
The flagship with His Excellency left for Bahroin on the 15th April.
During the year tho following ships of 11 is Majesty’s Navy visited the
port:—
H. M. S. Proserpine once, H. M. S. Lapwing twice, H. M. 3. Redbreast
once, H. M. S. Sphinx 4 times, the R.I.M.S. Lawrence thrice,
tho I. G. T. S. E. Patrick Stcxcart once in Novomber. On the
31st March tho R. E. L. Surprise arrived. Visits were exohnnged
between the Commandant of the ship and the Political Agent.
The Commandant and two other officers of the ship visited Sheikh
Mubarak. Tho Political Agent was present at the end of tbo
visit.

Visits and Tours.
The Political Resident visited Koweit thrice during the year.
During the winter, two tours were made by tho Political Agent in tho
Koweit hinterland.
His Britannic Majesty’s Consul at Basrah was visited at Christmas, and on
the way opportunity was taken to visit the new Sheikh of Zubair, Muhamraad-
bin-Mishri, an old acquaintnnce of the Political Agent who was elected
Sheikh by the inhabitants of Zubair after the assassiuation of ICbalid al’Aon
in the streets of Basrah on the 19th November. A visit was also paid during
the Political Agent’s stay at Basrah to Sheikh Khazal of Muhammerah at
Eailiya, with whom Sheikh Mubarak was staying at the time. An interesting
detour to tho west on tho return journey made some slight additions to our
knowledge of the vexed geographical problem of the course of the Batin.
No visible signs of further encroachment on Koweit boundaries by the Turks
was detected. In February, the Political Agent moved southwards aud
reached the village of Anta’a about 150 milos south of Koweit. Ho was well
received by the Sheikh and inhabitants who unsolicited expressed their
allegiance to and affection for the Sheikh of Kowoit.
No untoward incident marred the journey which was a severe test for the
camel transport.
Service in tho escort is now greatly sought ufter and tho scheme is
working well.
Customs.
The Customs Administration was managed by the Sheikh’s slave, Anian,
up to 17th January 1908, when he was cast into prison and all bis belongings
confiscated by the Sheikh for misappropriating customs revenue ana