Page 485 - PERSIAN 2C 1890_1899_Neat

RESIDENCY JLSD MASKAT POLITICAL AGENCY FOR THE YEAR 1897-08. 7

only rolieved the Hissamus-Sultaneh in March 1897, it will be seen that there
have been no less than eight changes in the Governorship of Bushiro during a
period of fifteen months.

2.—OMAN—MASKAT COAST.
Nothing of special importance has occurred at Maskat during the past
year. Captain Bcville was Political Agent at the beginning of the year,
and wont to India on leave, on the 10th Juno, at the same time that I
relieved Colonel Wilson. Captain Beville obtained an appointment in India,
and did not return to Maskut at the end of his leave. Surgeon-Lieu-
tcnant-Colonel Jayakar held charge of the Political Agency from the
departure of Captain Bovillo to the arrival of Major Eagan on the 15th
September. I visited Maskat twice during the year under report, first in June
1897, when 1 was on my way to Bush ire, and again in January 1898. On the
first occasion I did not land, as there was at the time quarantine against
arrivals from Karachi; but at the second visit I spent some days on shore, and
had several interviews with His Highness the Sultan. Major Eagan, the
Political Agent, has drawn up a report on Maskat affairs for the past year,
which accompanies as Part II of this compilation, and as it contains an
account of every thing of importance that has occurred, it seems unnecessary to
recapitulate his observations here.

3.—OMAN-PIRATE COAST.
In September a severe storm caused the loss of many lives at the pearl
fisheries, and it is reported that about 100 fishing boats were wrecked. There
has been a rise in the price of pearls owing to the fact that the take was less
than usual. The reason for this has not vet been given.
There was seme alarm felt in consequence of the movement of the Chief
of Abu Dthahi; but nothing important occurred.
During the summer several fires broke out at Debaye, and the people
became alarmed, tearing a repetition of the disastrous conflagrations which bad
occurred during the previous year. A slave woman was, however, caught in
the act of firing a house, and confessed that she was doing it at the instigation
of a relation of.-the Chief.
Small-pox wjs very prevalent on this coast during a portion of the
yoar.
In April 1591, the Mutaserrif of El-Hasa invited the people on the Katr
Coast to join in a general contribution collected on behalf of the Turkish
Government towmfs the expenses of the Turko-Greek war; but Sheikh Jasim
bin Thani replied that the people could not afford to pay anything towards
it.
4.—BAHREIN.
There hrune been no changes of importance at Bahrein during the past
twelve morvtfns. Sheikh Esa has been the Chief, and has continued to enjoy
good health. la November he sent his son, Sheikh Hamed, to visit me at
Bushire, and in February I visited the islands, remaining there a few days.
In May 1897, Ifec Chief appointed Sheikh Hamed to be Governor of Maharrak,
and during my visit to Bahrein he expressed a wish that the British
Government would recognise him as his successor, whenever liis own death
occurs.
In September I deputed Mr. Prideaux, the Eirst Assistant Resident, and
Mr, Gaskin, Extra Assistant, to visit Bahrein and enquire into various
complaints against the British Agent, Agha Muhammad Rahim.
There were also complaints of high-handed conduct on the part of some
of the Sheikh’s officials, which Mr. Prideaux went into, and which the Sheikh
disposed of afterwards at my request in a satisfactory manner by punishing
fhe parties concerned.