Page 326 - PERSIAN 8 1912_1920_Neat

42 PERSIAN GULP ADMINISTRATION REPORT
being acquired by His Majesty’s Government, finally taken over by the British
Consul, who was assisted by a Committee specially appointod for tbo purpose
in the month of August 1914. The statement hereto annexed and marked* A
shows how the French stocks were finally disposed of.
In the month of May 3 Afghans, posing as paupers on a pilgrimage,
travelled from Hera Ismail Khan to Bombay and thence camo to Maskat vid
Aden in a sailing vessel. They were arrested in Matrab. A sum of R4,200
in currency notes and gold was found concealed on their persons together with
certain papers which clearly showed that their real mission was the illicit
purchaso of arms. They were accordingly tried by His Britannic Majesty’s
Consul and found guilty of a breach of the Maskat Arms Warehouse Regula­
tions.
A fine ofR4,2O0 was imposed on them and they were deported to Karachi,
where they were arrested and furthor tried by the Indiau authorities and
sentenced to undergo a term of imprisonment.
One, Abdulla bin Muhammad al Katuria, a Maskat subject, was arrested
in July smuggling amis and ammunition aud rifle accessories to Matrah, where
Balucli arms dealers awaited him. He, together with the arms, was handed
over to the Local Government for disposal.
Again, in October, Abdulla was found implicated in the smuggling of
arms, and on this occasion the Local Government awarded him 3 months’
imprisonment in Fort Jelali.
All the French arms merchants left Maskat for good during the year under
report, except Monsieur Elbaz, who has large outstandings in Kuwait, Bahrain
and in Oman. In the course of the year Monsieur Elbaz visited Kuwait,
Bahrain aud Katr for the purpose of collecting his dues but had little or no
success.
He has disposed of his dhows and is also trying to dispose of his Warehouses
and other landed property in Maskat, but has not been able to obtain favourable
offers.
The public health has been good on the whole. The outbreak of small-pox
referred to in last year’s report continued
Pablic Health, Hospital and Quarantine.
during the first 6 months of the year
under report. The epidemic, however, was confined to Matrah only. There
were a few cases of black water fever, 2 of which proved fataL
The Agency Hospital was open for the public, and the number of patients
treated during the year was 6,191, the daily average being 17*14.
Quarantine arrangements, under the supervision of the Agency Surgeon,
have worked well during the year.
Two pilgrim ships visited Maskat during the year. No trouble of any
kind was experienced, the arrangements
Pilgrim*.
for pilgrims being found satisfactory.
The Customs management has remained in the hands of a paid Superin­
tendent, Salem bin. Abdulla al ELhaimri,
Customs and Landing.
an Arab subject of note. This man gave
a good deal of trouble to British merchants by the unnecessary detention of
their goods. Many of the old Indian employes of the Customs resigned during
the year owing to his treatment of them. His conduct was brought to the
notice of His Highness the Sultan, who severely reprimanded the Superintendent
in the presence of the Political Agent, and since then there has been a marked
improvement. Complaints of pilfering have been few.
The Landing contract, which was in the hands of 4 Arabs, was this year
given to Saiyid Yusuf az Zuwawi, to whom, it is said, His Highness is very
much indebted. Saiyid Yusuf appointed his son, Saiyid Abdul Kadir, a most
undesirable individual, to manage the business. British merchants protested
strongly against this. The matter was represented to His Highness the Sultan*
who at once ordered the removal of Saiyid Abdul Kadir from all connection
with the Landing arrangements. Occasional complaints have been received
from the local Shipping Agents and merchants of insufficiency of lighters and
consequent delay in port resulting in the over-carriage of cargo.

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