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Political and financial points of view. If the Bani Bu Ali were able to defy the
State and prevent it from collecting Customs dues at Aiqa then the Jenebeh would
also not unnaturally follow their example. If the Jencbch refused to pay revenue
then the Batinah tribes—the Yal Sand, etc.—would be likewise. The case also was
being watched from the interior. It was not therefore a question of getting some
more thousands of dollars out of Sur—though that was by no means a negligible
factor in itself—it was a question of the political and financial future of the State.
The financial prospects of the State were fair (secparagraph 18 above) and provided
that the Bam Bu Ali problem was solved successfully the State might be consi­
dered convalescent. If the problem was not solved successfully then the State
would undoubtedly suffer a relapse.
The Hon’ble the Political Resident obtained sanction therefore to inform
Shaikh Ali that His Majesty’s Government would support the State in its demands
with regard to Aiqa and on the 13th December visited Sur accompanied by Saiyid
Said and the Political Agent. There a long interview with Shaikh Ali took place
lasting several hours and the demands of the State were once more put to him.
These were:—
(1) That Customs dues should be paid in Aiqa.
(2) That for this purpose a Customs post should be established there.
(3) That Aiqa dhows should be registered as were dhows belonging to other
subjects of the State.
Shaikh Ali, supported by his advisers Shaikh Khamis bin Said and Shaikh Abdullah-
al-Rawwaf, showed himself obdurate. Every effort was made to win him over by
argument, and various proposals were suggested to enable him to ‘ save hi3 face ’
and climb down gracefully. Thus Saiyid Said offered to hire a house from Shaikh
Ali in Aiqa which would form the Customs post, and the guards for it could also
be provided by the Shaikh. The latter stated that by giving up the practice
(illegal of course) of collecting Customs dues himself he would be put to a personal
loss of $G00 a year. Saiyid Said offered to give him double the amount, §1,200 per
annum, in addition to the subsidy of §1,200 per annum he already got as Shaikh.
No arguments or concessions were of any avail, and the Shaikh firmly refused
the demands of the State, notwithstanding that it was firmly impressed on him
that these had the support of His Majesty’s Government. The result of the
interview was reported by the Hon’ble the Political Resident to Government with
recommendations for Naval and Air action against the Bani Bu Ali if they still persist­
ed in their rebellious attitude and thus the situation remained at the close of the year.
22. The Batineh.— The Batineh coast remained quiet throughout the year,
the chief event of importance in the area being the “ deposition ” of Saiyid Hamad,
Wali of Sohar, and brother of the Sutlan, by his youthful nephew Saiyid Said.
Saiyid Hamad is a man of ability and his rule in Sohar was marked by firmness.
He had, however, enjoyed the Waiiship for a considerable period, some 10 years,
assumed a quasi-independent attitude towards the Council of Ministers, and remitt­
ed a remarkably small percentage of the revenue from his district to the State
treasury. Complaints as to his rule also began to come in to the Council. In
March Saiyid Said, having decided that Saiyid Hamad must go, boarded the “ AI
Saidi ”, the State gunboat, with 25 men of the Muscat Infantry, and sailed for
Sohar. Saiyid Hamad having the reputation of being a strong man there was
some doubt as to the result of the move. However, Goliath was impressed by
David’s audacity; (Saiyid Said being small in stature and Saiyid Hamad tall the
simile is not inapt), gave up his post without opposition and was subsequently
made the Wali c f Matrah where under Saiyid Said’s eye he has been on his best be
haviour. This exhibition of resolution by Saiyid Said had undoubtedly a wide­
spread effect throughout the State, more especially on Iris uncles of whom there is
a plethora.
23. Masirah Island.—'This far-off island, nearly two hundred miles south of
Ras-al-IIadd, and some three hundred miles from Muscat, came into prominence
during the year as a link in the Royal Air Force aviation chain with Aden.
Various visits were made to it by sloops, the flying boats, the Political Agent, and
in the absence of the latter on recess by Captain Prior. The object of the visits
was to arrange with the Islanders, who belong to various tribal confederations on
the mainland* for buoys for.flying boats, a petrol tank for refuelling, and a landing