Page 683 - PERSIAN 5 1905_1911

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81 ADMINISTRATION REPORT OF THE PERSIAN GULF
fall from a camel; though severe, it is hoped that there will be no lasting
result from it. The relations between Iiis Highness and the Agency have
been on the whole good, in spite of the Arms Traffic, and have improved con­
siderably of late in consequence of the opening of negotiations between His
Highness and Government in connection with that problem.
The year opened with the celebration of the marriages of Saiyids Nadir
and Muhammad on New Year’s Day. The Political Agent with a party of
guests attended an entertainment given by Saiyid Taimur in honour of the
occasion.
Towards the end of January, the Political Agent presented to Saiyids
Nadir and Muhammad the Resident's congratulations and presents on their
marriage.
Saiyid Taimur left Maskat on the 12th April by B. I. S. “ Kola" on a
trip to Basrah and Baghdad. He returned to Maskat on the 17th May.
This visit called forth some anti-English utterances on the part of the local
Turkish press at Basrah who endeavoured to make political capital out of a
tourist visit.
Saiyid Nadir paid a visit to Murair to settle troubles between the Muta-
rish and the Zaid in the month of September. He also left for Sur in the
end of October on tribal work.
Saiyid Taimur left Maskat for Karachi and Bombay on the 18th Novem­
ber to see the Royal reception of Their Imperial Majesties at Bombay.
His Highness the Sultan remained at -Maskat throughout the year until
the 2Sth November when he left for Masna'a and Sib, leaving Saiyid Nadir
to deal with all local Maskat business during his absence.
Shaikh Salim bin Suleiman bin Suweilim, who figures under this head-
iug in last year's report, arrived in
Condition of Country.
Maskat on 80th January. He was
summoned on account of various complaints urged against him by British
subjects resident at Sohar. He returned to Sohar on the 8th April, and the
rumour of his return was sufficient to cause trouble among the Beni Uraar.
The Wali managed to patch up a peace, but trouble broke out again between
the Beni tinh ?.nd the Hawasineh supported by the Yal Saad early in May.
The Kawasineh suffered severely. This Wali Salim bin Suleiman returned
seriously ill to Maskat and died on the oth June. He was replaced by his
brother Mozafar.
There was the usual crop of inter-tribal dsputes during the year in the
Oman district, but the year began with a settlement effected between the Beni
Jabir and AX Ma’awal tribes by Shaikhs Saif bin Suleiman of Thau of the
Beni Jabir and Shaikh Suleiman bin Nasir of the Al.Ma’awal. This settle­
ment was confirmed by His Highness the Sultan. The whole trouble was
very nearly re-opened at Muttra by high-handed action on the part of a
tribesman of A1 Ma’awal assisted by a negro slave of the Wali of Muttra,
but fortunately the Wali and Shaikh Saif bin Suleiman were in time to avert
what would probably have been a serious affray by enforcing prompt restitu­
tion to the Beni Jabir sufferers.
In ilarch, from Sur came news of trouble among the Beni B.ii Hassan
who attacked the tower of Jinah under Sur, but failed to take it. There
was loss of life on both sides, but the Bedouins suffered severely.
There was further serious fighting about the same time at Khaburah
between the tribes of Hawasineh on the one side and Beni Khalid and Beni
Zara on the other. The number of killed reached nearly 200, and His High­
ness sent Saiyid Badar bin Saif to make an enquiry and arrange terms of
peace.
On the 25th June, Shaikh Saif bin Suleiman of the Beni Jabir of Thau
died of acute rheumatism.
Ghalib bin Ali, His Highness's Wali of Gwadur, arrived at Maskat in
the end of July and left again after a stay of about three weeks.
At an interview in October, His Highness informed the Political Agent
that the Beni Bu Ali were fighting with the Beni Bu Hassan and, atHis