Page 529 - PERSIAN 8 1931_1940_Neat

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CHAPTER VIII.

ADMINISTRATION REPORT OF THE POLITICAL AGENCY, MUSCAT,
FOR 1037.
Part I.
1. Agency Officials—
Political Agent.—Major R. P. Watts, I.A., throughout the year.
Medical Officer.—Assistant Surgeon R. Easev, I.M.D., from 1st to 18th
January. Assistant Surgeon C. E. Hynes, OLD., from 19th
January to the end of the year.
Treasury Officer.—Mr. R. I. Barreto from 1st January to the 17th March.
Mr. Nasirul Haq from the 18th March to the 18th June.
Mr. D. J. Stephens from the 19th June to the end of the year.
2. Agency Hospital.—(a) The total number of patients treated during
the year was 7,G75 of which 7,598 were “ out patients ” and 77 “ in patients
This number shows a decrease of 316 compared with last year. The daily
average attendance was 21-5. 202 minor operations were carried out during
the year.
There were no outbreaks of any epidemics.
Malaria, skin, eye and diseases of the digestive system continued to be
the most prevalent.
(b) Quarantine.—Quarantine restrictions were imposed against pas­
sengers arriving from Karachi on three occasions during the year.
There was a small epidemic of small-pox reported on the Batinah coast
and all persons arriving by caravans were vaccinated before they were allowed
to enter Matrah. A total of 1,914 vaccinations were performed.
A few minor repairs to the quarantine station were carried out during
the year.
3. Coronation of His Majesty King George VI.—The Coronation of Their
Majesty’s King George VI and Queen Elizabeth was celebrated at Muscat on
May 12th. H.M.S. “ Deptford ” which had been sent to Muscat specially for
the occasion, dressed ship and fired a Royal Salute of 31 guns at Noon and
the Sultan’s Battery in the Fort fired a similar number of guns in unison.
The Agency buildings were suitably decorated with flags and bunting by
day and coloured lights by night. In the evening “ Deptford ” gave a search
light display and fired off several salvoes of rockets.
An official reception was held at the Agency in the evening which was
attendod by His Highness the Sultan, the principal members of the Ruling
family and State officials, the Captain and Officers of H.M.S. “ Deptford ”
and representatives of the British Indian Communities of Muscat and Matrah.
At Gwadur the British Agent held a reception which was attended by the
Wali and leading members of the British Indian Community resident there.
4. Political Affairs.—(a) The political situation remained quiet through­
out the year.
An event of some importance took place in October when Shaikh ’Isa
bin Salih with his 2 sons and a small band of followers paid a semi-official
visit to the Sultan. Shaikh ’Isa is the right hand man of the Imam of the
Oman and has probably more influence and authority in that district than
the Imam himself. It was Shaikh ’Isa who as a young man was the leader
of the Omam forces in their abortive attack on Muscat in 1915 which was
repelled by Indian troops then stationed here and since that period he has
never visited the capital again. According to the Sultan’s statements
which appear to have some degree of truth in them, Shaikh ’Isa’s visit was
suggested by the latter himself and his object was to make his peace with the
Muscat Government on account of his dissatisfaction with the rule of the