Page 396 - PERSIAN 8 1912_1920_Neat

42 PERSIAN GULP ADMINISTRATION REPORT

In May, His Highness imprisoned 4 of his subjects and lined them heavily
for surreptitiously selling the rifles which had been issued to them by Hi.q
Highness through the Warehouse during the disturbances.
Tn November, 7 Baluchis, who were returning to Mekran from Moham-
merah, with 30 rifles and about 10,000 rounds ammunition concealed in their
personal effects, were intercepted at Maskat aud detained at the Agency.
They were eventually sent to the Assistant Political Agent, Paujgur, with tho
rifles aud ammunition for disposal.
Tho public health has been good throughout the year. Tho Agency
hospital was open for the public and the
Public health and Hospital and Quarantine.
number of patients treated during tho
year was 7,292, daily average being 20. The Quarantine arrangements under
the supervision of the Agency lias worked well. An allowance of Rs. 100
per mensem was sanctioned for the Sub-Assistant Surgeon, who is in charge
of the quarantine arrangements, to be paid to him until an Agency Surgeon is
appointed to Maskat.
Not, pilgrim ship visited Maskat
Pilgrim#.
during tho year under report.
Salim bin Abdullah al Khaimri remained in charge of His Highness*
Customs at Maskat from 1st January to
Customs and Landing.
31st August on which date he was 3US-
pended by His Highness the Sultan on the formal protest made by this
Agency against the treatment accorded by him to the British Indian traders.
The Hindu community who rule Maskat market closed their business places
and refused to reopen until Salim Khaimri, Superintendent of His Highness*
Customs, was removed from his post or their grievances were redressed.
The chief cause of their attitude was the insult offered to the head of their
community while in the Customs Houre that morning (31st August). Saiyid
Abu Saleh, a British Indian subject, who was in charge of the Matrah
Customs, was appointed to succeed Salim bin Khaimri. The latter*a appoint­
ment was received with satisfaction in general .and British traders opened
their business places. There has not been any complaint against the working
of the Customs since. No complaints of pilfering were received during the
year. The landing arrangements have remained in the hands of Saiyid
Yusuf az Zuwawi throughout the year. Frequent complaints of overcarriage
of cargo have, however, been received from the local British India Steam
Navigation Company's Agents in consequence of the inability of the landing
contractor to provide sufficient lighters. Saiyid Yusuf promises to remedy this
but has not done so.
During the year under report applications for freedom were received
from 24 slaves of whom 20 were freed,
Slave trade.
3 absconded and 1 was reconciled to his
master. Of the number 13 were from Mekran and the rest frprn. Zanzibar.
On the 11th February His Excellency Lord Hardinge, Viceroy and
Governor-General of India, arrived in
Maskat on his jay back to India from
Basrah on board H. M. S. “Norths
brook”. Suitable arrangements were made by His Highness the Sultan for
His Excellency’s reception. Erom the Customs wharf, where His Excellency
landed, to His Highness* palace the route was decorated and carpetted and
lined by the 96th Russell's Infantry. His Excellency and suite, accompanied
by His Highness, his brothers and officials, proceeded to the palace audience
room especially prepared for the occasion. Here His Highness read an
Arabio address to which His Excellency replied. After this His Excellency
oame to the British Agency where the British Indian residents presented an
address of welcome enclosed in a silver casket. His Excellency, after having
replied to the address, received visits from tho Foreign Conouls in the Agency
drawing room and, later on, proceeded to Darsaifc in the ” Northbrook” and
there reviewed the 2 regiments of the Maskat garrison, leaving for Karachi
the same evening on board the Sl Northbrook