Page 607 - PERSIAN 2C 1890_1899_Neat

besidency and massat political agency for the YEAR 1 MW*. 23

Tho Political Agent at onoo proceeded to the place in H. M. 8. " Sphinx,
and found on enquiry that the complainants* statements were substantially
correct, that the Naib Wali, Seif bin Mubarak Jcbbari, and the garrison
consisting of only two men had taken to flight as soon as the first shot was
fired, and that although tho complainants had sent early information of the
ooourronco to Suleiman bin Suweylim, Wali of Sohar, In whose jurisdiction
Shinas lies, no notice whatever had been taken of the complaint nor had any
attempt been made to institute enquiries into the matter.
A communication was made to the 8ultaa
GENERAL.
On tho 13th April a fire broke out in one of the shops in the bazar.
Information was brought to tho Political Agent. Prompt arrangements were at
once made for tho despatch to tho spot of the detachment of the 21st Bombay
Infantry on duty at the Agency and a party of blue jackets from H. M. 8.
«* Lapwingby whose exertions the fire, whioh at one time threatened to be­
come serious, was soon got under.
On the 23rd May another fire was reported to have taken place at Bun­
der Jisseh, which resulted in the destruction of the whole village with the
exception of seven huts.
On the 3rd June a disastrous cyclone passed over M&skat and the adjacent
country accompanied by heavy rain. Great loss occurred amongst the small
craft at Matrali and other towns on the coast. Thousands of dato and other
trees were uprooted by tho violence of the storm, and some damage wa3 done
to property in Maskat and Matrah.
The Political Resident in the Persian Gulf visited Maslrat early in April in
the R. I. M. S. “ Lawrence ” and again in February in the came vessel.
The imposition of quarantine on account of plague in India] remained in
force throughout the year, and the country is still free of this scourge.

NAVY.
Maskat was visited during the year by Her Majesty’s snips c* Sphinx”
“ Pigeon“ Redbreast ” and “ Lapwing.”
Rear-Admiral Douglas also visited Maskat in February in his Flagship
the “ Eclipse
Foreign navies were represented by the French Gunboat Scorpion ” and
German Cruiser “ ArconaP
SLAYS TRADE.
In June a pearl-fishing dbow, bound from Khahurah to Bahrein, was
seized by Commander Baker of H. M. S. “Sphinx ” and brought in for adjudica­
tion in the Consular Court at Maskat, having Vice- Admiralty jurisdiction. The
Court on enquiry found that there was no evidence to prove that the Nakhoda
was aware at the time of his departure from Khaburah of the slave1® presence
on board, and he and his vessel were released. The slave was duly liberated
and his owner handed over to His Highness the Sultan for punishment.
In December an African slave-boy, Ferooz bin Mabrooh, who had been
liberated at this Consulate, was reported to have been re-enslaved by a Persian
subject named Abdul Rasul bin Ibrahim, of Bander Abbas. Further enquiry
confirmed the truth of the report, and steps were taken which resulted in the
boy being again set at liberty. At the same time the matter was reported to
the Political Resident with a view to punishment being meted out to Abdnl
Rasul by the Persian authorities.
During the year under report 105 fugitive slaves took refuge in the Con­
sulate. Of these, 89 were manumitted under the stipulations of the Treaty of
1873, and 16 left the protection of the Consulate and found their way to Africa
or India before their cases were enquired into by His Highness the Sultan.
a *. ^omi?lan<^er Raker, H. M. 8.,cSphinx,” freed under the Brussels Conference
Act two slaves who had taken refuge on board the vessel under his command.
OFFICIAL CHANGES.
Major 0. G. F. Fagan remained in charge of the Political A^ooct and
Consulate throughout thq year under report.
C. G. F. FAGAN.
Political Agent and Consul,
ir_