Page 464 - PERSIAN 8 1931_1940_Neat

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11. Slave Trade.—During the year 38 slaves applied for Manumission
Certificates either for themselves or for their relatives or both. 25 slaves
including children were manumitted during the year.
Of the 38 applicants, 9 were Africans and the remainder Baluchis.
12. Weather and rainfall.—The rainfall for the year amounted to 7-00
inches of which no less than ‘1-GO inches fell on the 9th January in a few
hours. According to local reports this has been the heaviest rainfall expe­
rienced for the last 30 years.
On the 21st February a severe thunder storm accompanied with rain
and wind of gale force took place. No serious damage was done either in
Muscat or in Matrah but on the Batinah Coast several thousands of date
trees were uprooted causing a considerable loss to cultivators.
Another strong gale broke out on the night of 28/29th February dur­
ing which several sailing vessels were wrecked. Two “Badans” belonging
to°British Subjects were wrecked and 10 persons—passengers and crew-
lost their lives outside Muscat harbour.
The highest temperature recorded was 106-0° on 24th May and the
lowest temperature was 60-7° on 19th January.

ADMINISTRATION REPORT OF THE POLITICAL AGENCY,
MUSCAT, FOR 1936.
PXivr II.
1. Ruling Family—(a) His Highness Saiyid Said bin Taimur.—The
Sultan was absent in Dhofar throughout the year devoting.most of his time
to personal amusements.
(b) Saiyid Nadir, the senior uncle of His Highness took no part in
State affairs at any time during the year. He invariably, however, attends
all official functions.
(c) Saiyid Sliahab bin Faisal, the favourite uncle of His Highness, re­
presented the Sultan throughout the year. On numerous occasions he show­
ed himself obstructive and troublesome in dealing with official matters, but
this attitude was probably due more to an intense fear of incurring the
Sultan’s displeasure and the inevitable serious consequences thereof rather
than any deliberate intention to be a hindrance. He paid two short visits
to Dhofar in March and April respectively to see the Sultan. Both these
visits were made in Royal Air Force machines.
In June he proceeded to Sohar for the purpose of investigating the
trouble which had arisen between the Riyayaseh, a tribe of Baluch origin
domiciled in Oman and the Bani Omar tribe, over a land dispute. When
the leaders of both parties were summoned, the Riyayaseh refused to ap­
pear and replied that they would only represent their case to the Sultan.
(d) Saiyid Mahmud bin Muhammad bin Turki, a cousin of His High­
ness held the post of the Wali of Matrah throughout the year.
(e) Saiyid Majid bin Taimur bin Faisal, a step-brother of His High-
ness was dismissed towards the end of the year from the post of the Wali
of Burkah owing to his debauched and drunken life, misrule and ill-treat­
ment of people at Burkah.
2. 1<manna/ Adviser.—The Director of Revenues, in the continued
absence of the Sultan, remained practically in charge of financial affairs
of the State throughout the year.
Sfate Finances.—The opening balance at the commencement of the
.year showed a credit of Rs 3,75 335-9-0. This figure, however, excludes
debts due by the State to local creditors which amount to Rs 71 974 Com­
pared with last year an increased credit of Rs. 1,01,902-7-0 is’shown The
financial position of the State appears satisfactory.