Page 84 - PERSIAN 5 1905_1911

74 ADMINISTRATION RETORT ON I11K PERSIAN GULP POLITICAL

Chatter VIII.—ADMINISTRATION REPORT, TRTJCIAL COA8T OP
OMAN, 1905-1906.
The romnrk made in last year's report, that the new Sheikh of T7mm-al-
Kawain was a person of some force of
Uram-al-Kawain.
character, who was likely to acquire
influence on the Coast, has proved well-founded. During the past year he has
oorae considerably to the front; and though inclined to be headstrong appears
to be a satisfactory^ man to deal with.
It is a matter for much regret that Maktoom-bin-Hashnr, Sheikh of Deba,
the most enlightened and reasonable of
Debai.
the Trucial Chiefs, died suddenly on
16th February 1906 at D«bai apparently from heart disease. There * was a
quiet succession, his cousin Butti-bin-Solieil assuming the Chieftainship
unopposed, the deceased Sheikh having left no adult sons. The new Sheikh
is a middle-aged man and seems to be somewhat uncouth aud less enlightened
than his predecessor, but will no doubt improve.
The Sheikh of Shargah has as usual been very unsatisfactory. He is
always friendly and pleasant to meet, but
Sharpen.
is said to be chiefly interested in his
zenana, and in. regard to his business and administrative duties suffers hope­
lessly from inertia. It is only by constant pressure that he can be got to effect
the settlement of any claims ai all. Simply owing to this failing he has
gradually lost all his adherents, the Bedouin finding that they can get more
easily elsewhere the small measure of support, justice and protection which he
has always failed tc gire them. His apathetic character is notorious all over
northern Oman. His son Rashid, at present Sheikh of Bas-al-Khaima, unfortu­
nately seems to'take after his father in character.
Sheikh Saggar seems practically to have given up all intention of coerc­
ing Sheikh Elamad-bin-Abdulla, Heidman
Fcjtira.
of Fujaira, and as regards this individual
and his affairs matters have been quiescent during the year and he shows
signs of attaching himself to other Sheikhs of TJmm-al-Kawain or Abu Thabi
for practical protection. So weak is Sheikh Snggar's rule and so callous is he
that there seems every reason to believe that in the course of time the whole
Shimailiya tract between Mureir and Dibba will make itself independent of
him.
The two most important matters which have exercised the Residency in
regard to the Trucial Coast during the year have been the reported intention
of Bin Saood, the Wahabi leader, to endeavour to re-establish himself in those
centres of Oman which were under Wahabi influence in the days of his
forefathers, and secondly a troublesome quarrel between the Beni Kattab
Bedouins and the Sheikh of Abu TbabL
The latter tribe had formerly been in treaty relations with tbe Chiefs of
Shargah and Ra»-a!-Khaima, but finding
TV*; qcamL
that they got no assistance or presents
from them, transferred their allegiance to Sheikh Rashid of Urum-al-Kawain,
who since his accession has succeeded in gaining some reputation in northern
Oman as a strong character and liberal patron among the Bedouin element.
The first question which brought tbe Beni Kattab into issue with Sheikh
Zaeed was a somewhat curious one. In the northern part of the Sultan of
Maskat’s territory, inland of the port of 8hinas lies the Wadi Hatta in Western
Haiar. at the bead of which, on the Baraimi side, lie two villages, one on
either side of the Wadi, named respectively Hijarain and Misfut, and inhabited
bv two sections of aamali tribe called the Biduwat, who are always on bad
* nm TiMJse at Misfut not having been able to get relief when in difficulty
r m distant Maskafc, attached themselves to the Naim of Baraimi and received
W vociiaa from the Sheikh of that tribe. Those at Hijarain were transferred