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RESIDENCY AND K4SKAT POLITICAL AGENCY FOB THE YEAR 1897-98. 15

Part II.—ADMINISTRATION REPORT OF THE MA8KAT
POLITICAL AGENCY FOR THE YEAR 1897-98.

Tho past year has not been productive of any events of import­
ance in the political history of Oman
Political. and there are fewer inter-tribal disturb­
ances than usual to record. The pen-
era! quiet lias been brought about by the excessive price in food-atuffs which
has had the effect of engendering a general desire for peace and a fuller
appreciation of the advantages of free gifts of food-stuffs from the Sultan.
In May rumours were current of unrest amongst the Beni Rnwaheh and
Beni Jabir fomented by Sheikh Rashid, the Sultan’s Wali at Semail, who, for
purposes of his own, was endeavouring to set these tribes against one another.
Quiet was, however, restored.
In June a disturbance occurred at Naklil, Sheikh Khalfan bin Thenayan,
a very troublesome personage, being the aggressor. Fifty men were despatched
with the Wali of Barks, lo restore order and to arrest Khalfan bin Thenayan,
but the latter evaded capture by flight and has hitherto succeeded in retain­
ing his liberty, notwithstanding several attempts to effect bis capture.
In December the Z>.ni Ruwalieli attacked Sevma, a place belonging to
the Beni Uadrsin and rook it with a loss to the defenders of three men killed
and six taken prisoners. On hearing tho news Sheikh Rashid bin Uzaiz, Wali
of the Scmail, interceded between the parties and succeeded in effecting the
restoration of Seym:* to the Boni Hadram.
Suleiman bin Suwttlim, the Governor of Dhofar, arrived at that place on
the 15th April and took over charge of
Dhofar.
his duties.
In April and Max, two bodies of men belonging to His Highness’s gar­
rison at Dhofar, num&sring in all about 45 men, deserted and returned to
Maskat.
Shortly after Suleiman bin Suweilim’s arrival at Dhofar in April 1S97,
the inhabitants oi Tlsfa attacked those of Salala with the result that one
of the Al Katliir vat killed. In this affair Suleiman favoured the inhabitants
of Hafa, and was strengly suspected of being the instigator of the quarrel
between the parties. the matter being reported to the Sultan, His High­
ness sent letters rId [Bombay and Aden recalling Suleiman and appointing
Scyyid Seif bin Y a rail as Governor in his place.
Suleiman did mt obey the order of recall till the end of February,
and when he did jo,. Slo brought back with him the Sultan's nominee, Seyyid
Seif bin Y.araftv and left his Nubian slavo, Noobie, an illiterate and abso­
lutely worthless inliindual, to act as Wali in his place.
In November I?j97i the Wali’s nephew and an Arab who accompanied
him, were attacked :&id killed by the Kara hillmen.
In May 1897, arc attempt was made by the Sultan to insist that all bag*
of rice imported into Maskat should be
General. of one uniform weight. As such an
order was calculated to hamper trade
and to benefit nobody, the matter was represented to His Highness who
revoked this order.
On the 21st franc, the Jubiloe, in commemoration of the completion of
the 60th year of -Che reign of Her Majesty the Queen-Empres9, was duly
celebrated. All .tlM- foreign representatives offered their congratulations on
the occasion, and tffco heads of the Khoja and Banian communities testified
their loyalty to Her Majesty.
In Ausinit 1897, the Officer in Political Charge of the Makran Coast for­
warded a lpetftnn from the British Indian traders at Gwadur, representing