Page 795 - PERSIAN 8 1912_1920_Neat

PERSIAN GULF POLITICAL RESIDENCY, 1020. 61

The 2-lst Brahmans wore rolieved by 1*117th Mahrattaa from Bushiro on
9th May. Tlio latter remained here till
Dritiih Troopi.
the end of the year.
During the year under report proposals were put up for increasing the pay
and the establishment of the Agency. Statistics show that the volume of work
has almost doubled since 1912, while the
Agency Staff, etc.
prices of necessaries have more than
doubled. Relief was previously granted by tho compensation given for the
high rate of the dollar, but with the rapidly falling exchange this has become
inadequate.
Considerable repairs have been undertaken as regards buildings. It is in­
teresting to note that two excellent rooms were discovered filled with lumber
some 23 years old which on cleaning out have furnished a good guard room arid
store. An investigation of the stationery scattered about the Agency showed
5 yoars storo at least had been unwittingly accumulated.
Means of transport for the Political Agont continue a difficulty. As
present ho is the possessor of a debilitated jolly boat seating with difficulty his
emaciated form and possibly one other person, propelled at about 2 miles an
hour by two fever-stricken khallasis. A steam tug was sent from Basra early
in tho year but proved unsuitable, and expensive. The Hon’ble the Political
Resident in the Persian Gulf has recommended that a small motor launch be
supplied to tho Political Agent, which would permit him to make short trips
up and down the coast in fine weather. Touring is necessary for the work and
advantageous for the health of the Political Agont. With the very unfrequent
visits of His Majesty’s Ships it is impossible for him to obtain lifts on these as
formerly.
The Hon’ble the Political Resident kindly sanctioned tho purchase of an
outboard motor. This has proved most useful for visiting ships and for har­
bour work.
The Hon’ble Lieutenant-Colonel A. P. Trevor, C.S.I., C.I.E., Political
Resident in the Persian, Gulf paid three
Vi.it*.
visits to Muscat during the year as
follows :—
Date of arrival Date of departure.
10-4-1920 10-4-1920
31-10-1920 1-11-19 20
28-11-1920 28-11-1920

Lioutenant-Coloncl Sir A. T. Wibon, K.C.I.E., C.S.T., C.M.G., D.S.O.,
who was travelling in R. I. M. S. Lawrence landed at the Agency on 1st
November.
His Excellency Rear Admiral Sir Hugh Tothill, K.C.B., Naval Com-
mander-in-Chief of East Indies Squadron, arrived on 25th February on board
the flagship HujhJlyer. After exchanging visits with His Highness the Sultan
of Muscat on 27th left for Karachi.
Mr. E. E. Gunter, Director, Indo-European Telegraphs, arrived in I. E. T. S.
JPartick Stewart on 15th December and after paying a visit to the Political
xYgent left for Jask the same day.
Mr. Crossle, Executive Engineer, Persian Gulf, arrived on 17th November
and left on 19th.
Mr. S. S. Stout, Deputy. Director, Postal Services, Persian Gulf, arrived on
28th April and left on 6th May.
13 slaves took refuge in the Consulate,
Slave Trade. :
of whom 11 were manumitted.
A serious case of kidnapping from Wadham occurred in March. The
slaves and dealers succeeded in escaping finally into Bareimi. The incident
caused the Kazm affair. It is almost impossible to traoo slaves once they are
taken into the hinterland.