Page 682 - PERSIAN 5 1905_1911

CHAPTER VIII.

annual administration report for the maskat
POLITICAL AGENCY FOR THE YEAR 1011.

Major A. P. Trevor, I.A., held charge of the Political Agency until the
19th April, when he proceeded home on
Personnel.
Jong leave. He was relieved, on that
date by Major S. G. Knox, I.A., C.I.E., who continued to hold charge for
the remainder of the year.
Captain N. N. G. C. McVean, held charge of the post of Agency
Surgeon throughout the year.
Monsieur A. Jeannier remained Con­
Foreign Conoula.
sul for France throughout the year.
Mr. John A. Ray held the post of American Consul until the 26th April
when he left for America, handing over charge of the Consulate to his
Deputy and Vice-Consul, Mr. Muhammad Fathil, who continued to hold
charge until the 11th December when Mr. Homer Brett arrived at Maskat
and relieved him.
The Italian Government Agent, Mr. Umberto Omar, left Maskat on the
26th April and has not been replaced.
The relations of His Britannic Majesty’s Consul with his foreign
collegues have remained most cordial throughout the year. In May, Abdul
Aziz bin Lluhammad-ar-Ruwaihi visited Sur, on behalf of the French Con­
sul, for the purpose of enumerating the French dhowsthere.
Lieutenant-Colonel P. Z. Cox, C.S.I., C.I.E., Resident, in the Persian
Gulf, arrived at Maskat in the R.I.M.S.
Visits of Resident.
“ Lawrence,” on the 5th November, and
remained until the 16th November. The main object of his visit was to
discuss the Arms Traffic question with His Highness the Sultan of Maskat.
Negotiations on this difficult subject advanced appreciably, and it is hoped
that a definite arrangement for restricting the traffic to its legitimate dimen­
sions will not be long delayed.
The 22nd of June being the Corona-
of v* tion day of His Imperial Majesty the
King./mperor> Ge0rge V, was cel*
brated with the usual celebrations that mark the King’s Birthday.
On the 12th December, a Durbar was held by the Political Ag ent and
His Britannic Majesty’s Consul in commemoration of the Imperial Durbar
held by His Imperial Majesty the King-Emperor at Delhi. It was attended
by about 260 persons of whom perhaps 33 per cent, were foreigners headed
by Saiyid Nadir, second son of His Highness the Sultan, and the French and
American Consuls. The Political Agent addressed the meeting explaining
the object of the assembly and concluded by calling for three cheers, which
were enthusiastically given, for Their Imperial Majesties. Saiyid Nadir
then read out an adarcss sent by His Highness the Sultan in which the latter
expressed regret at his inability to be present owing to an accident, his
sympathy with the object of the meeting and his earnest desire for the con­
tinuance and strengthening of the ancient bonds of friendship which united
Great Britain and Maskat. The proceedings terminated by the presenta­
tion of His Imperial Majesty’s portrait to Saiyid Nadir on behalf of the
Sultan as a memento of the occasion. Royal salutes were fired by H. M. S.
“ Philomel ” and His Highness the Saltan’s fort Jallali battery at noon.
Various entertainments were given by influential British subjects, and
buildings, both Government ana private, were illuminated in the evening.
H. M. S. " Philomel ” gave a display of fireworks and search-light effects
which were much appreciated:
The health of His Highness the Sultan has been good throughout the
year. The temporary indisposition,
His Highness the 8alien FszsSj.
already alluded to in connection with
the Coronation Durbar, was due to a sprained knee, the result of a
M*