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EESIDENCY AND MUSCAT POLITICATi AGENCY EON 1890-B1. 7

S.—BAHRAIN.
His Excellency the Naval Commander-in-Chief visited Bahrain in the
I.M.8. Lawrence on the 7th May, and visits were duly exchanged with the
Chief,
Shaikh Esa was anxious to have his son 8alman publicly recognized as his
successor, and proposed to send him to Bushire to make the acquaintance of the
Resident; Colonel Ross, however, was unable at the time to meet his wishes.
In August the Chief complained of the tone of letters addressed to him
by the Mutasarif of El-Hasa, demanding the extradition of one Abdur Rahim
Seybati, and of the insolence of the officials deputed to apprehend the fugitive,
but the matter passed off without further notice being taken of it.

4.—EL-KATR.
Matters are as far as ever from being arranged between Shaikh Jasim-bin-
Thani and the Chief of Abu Dhabi, and mutual raids, in which the advantage
seems to have rested with Shaikh Jasim, occurred at intervals throughout the
year; Shaikh Jasim’s preparations for action appear to have been on a larger
scale than usual, and he was reported to have sent a raiding party of three
hundred and fifty men towards ’Oman under his brother and son.
In May it was reported that the Mutasarif of El-Hasa had written to
Muhammad bin Abdul Wahab, declaring his intention of appointing him Gov­
ernor of Zobara, and several other projects were attributed to the Mutasarif,
acting under orders from Constantinople. Amongst these were the appoint­
ment of Mudirs, and the erection of buildings at Zobara and Odeid; the nomina­
tion of a deputy to Jasim-bin-Thani, Kaim-makam of Katr, on the plea of his
frequent absences, and in the hope of establishing more control over El-Katr;
the rebuilding of the Bcrcymi and Bel’Alat forts, and the construction of a
large mosque at Ojair; also, the organization of a force of 600 police, mounted
on camels, to keep in check the Bedouins, the despatch of two steamers to ran
between Katr and Ojair and Katif, the appointment of a harbour master at
Kafcr to levy dues on native craft, and the stationing there of a force of cavalry
and infantry.
It was also reported that the Turks intended establishing a custom-house
at El-Bidaa, and a Government building was to be erected; taxes were also to be
levied on divers and pearl merchants.
Muhammad bin Abdul Wahab declined the offer of the Governorship of
Zobara, but in September it was reported that Asif Beg, Khalaf Eifendi, and
Muhammad Beg had been nominated at Busrah as Mudirs of Zobara and Odeid
and assistant to the Kaim-makam of Katr respectively. These proceedings
were made the subject of a reference to the Government of India.
Jasim-bin-Thani is believed to be dissatisfied with the turn affairs have
taken, and to resent the action of the Turkish authorities. Towards the close
of the year Akif Pasha, Mutasarif of Hasa, to whose incentive these attempts to
extend Turkish influence and jurisdiction were ascribed, was compelled by ill-
health to leave El-Hasa, and is said to have since died on his way home.
At the end of January last the officials mentioned above as having been
appointed to Odeid, Zobara, and Katr arrived at Bahrein, and were said to intend
proceeding first to El-Bidaa to deliver certain orders to 8haikh Jasim-bin-Thani
regarding the ;building of forts at the two former places.
The transfer of Akif Pasha however delayed the departure of these officials
for their posts, for which, by the latest accounts, they had not yet left