Page 96 - PERSIAN 5 1905_1911

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ADMINISTRATION REPORT ON T1IE PERBIAH GULP POLITICAL

Chapter X.—A DM I NIST RATION REPORT OF THE KOWjEIT POLI-
TIOAL AGENCY FOR THE YEAR 1905-1906.

1. Nejd Affairs.—Desultory fighting continued throughout the year bat
without definite result. The only impoit&nt events to record are:—
(1) the death of 8heikh Yusuf-bin-Braliim at Hail towards the cloee
Of 1905,
(2) the fact that Abdul Aziz-brn-Bashid has made overtures for peace
to Sheikh Mobarnk and 1o Abdul AzIz-bin-Saood. It is said that
8heikh Mobarak has shown a disposition to come to terms.
2. J"Resident's visits.—The Poliiiral Resident visited Kuweit six times
during the year.
3. Political Tours.—The Political Agent made two lone: tours in the
district during the year. One to the south, covering about 60 miles, and the
other to Eafar. On the former occasion he was out from the 3rd to the 20th of
April and on the latter from the 3rd to tiie 31st January. On both occasions
an escort of Bedouins was provided by Sheikh Mobarak.
4. Kotceit Customs.—The administration of Koweit Customs continues
to be managed by the Sheikh’s slave, Aman. The reed mat house erected
last year, for the protection of merchandise, has been replaced by a large stone
built structure -which provides ample room for the storage of merchandise and
safety of goods. The Customs revenue has greatly increased partly owing
to the increase of trade and also because the rates levied have been increased
in some cases to a very great extent.
6. The relations between the Koweit people and the British India
Company showed some symptoms of strain during the end of 1905. Some
complaints were made but a visit from tho Bussorah Agent of the Company
put everything right and for the past two months matters have run more
smoothly and cargo has been discharged quicker and with fewer complaints
than has been known during the history of the Agency.
6. The beacon on the Ras-ul-Arz was blown down in February. It was
originally erected by the British India Company and has now been replaced
by a stone structure erected at the cost of the Government of India.
7. Arms and Ammunition.—The trade in arms and ammunition has been
very brisk during the year. Towards the month of September the import of
these, by British India steamers, was stopped and 6inoe then native sailing
boats have brought them in large quantities.
8. Public health.—The public health has been exceedingly good through­
out the year. The dispensary was well patronised by the general public.
Assistant Surgeon Daudur Rahman held charge of the dispensary up to the
22nd November when he proceeded on 3£ months’ privilege leave and again
from 10th March till the end of the year. No suhsiitute was, however, asked
for to replace the Assistant 8urgeon. The dispensary was kept open for the
public during the Assistant Surgeon’s absence and the dresser of the dispen­
sary attended to the outstanding cases.
9. Marine.—There have been very frequent changes in the mail service
to Koweit during the year. In the beginning of August till about the end
of October the weekly fast service was discontinued and only a slow fort­
nightly service maintained. And again from December Koweit is being
served alternately by fast and slow mails fortnightly.
Two vessels of Messrs. Frank 8trick & Co., 8. 8. Baluchistan and
8 8. Arab'stan, and one vessel of the Bombay 8tcam Navigation
called at Koweit. The former two vessels came to load the date cargo whioh
was being brought from Bussorah and the latter came with 3,000 cases Russian
kerosine oil and rice from x^omoay.