Page 96 - PERSIAN 8 1912_1920

80 PERSIAN GULF ADMINISTRATION REPORT
above notification wa9 the 1st of September 1912, and the arms dealers
naturally endeavoured to avail themselves to the utmost of the period of
that still remained to them.
For the moment, the success of these measures is shown by the fact tW
since the close of October, imports into Maskat have ceased entirely, while tvj
returns for September and October are very materially less than those f0r ^
preceding seven months of the year. The arms traders, and especially
French, are reaping a temporary enormous profit by the surreptitious gale 0f
rifles and ammunition, in defiance of the rules and regulations, at double
usual prices but stocks are running low and must be exhausted before lon»
unless the negotiations, proceeding in Europe, auent the legality of tyj
proclamations and the rules made thereunder, turn in favour of the French
pretensions.
The warehouse was duly established on the first of September. A superin.
tendent from India, Saiyid Kasim bin Saiyid Imam Kadri, with a pieviom
excellent record in Government service under the East Africa Protectorate, was
appointed thereto by His Highness the Sultan with the approval of the Govern-
ment of India. Saiyid Kasim has a difficult task to carry out and has shown
marked ability, zeal and discretion therein. The buildings, appropriated to the
ends of the warehouse, are conveniently situated close to the Customs House,
accommodation is adequate and records and accounts are in good order. At
present, the local Oman market is so glutted with arms that there is little
opportunity for legitimate sale but, as the situation clears and the question o{
French acquiescence in the rules and regulations relating to the arms trace
adjusts itself, there seems no reason why the warehouse should not pay
its way.
The opposition of the local tribesmen, already alluded to in this report,
does not seem serious.
lx may be interesting to note here, as a sign of the commencement of con­
fidence in Saiyid Kasim on the part of His Highness the Sultan that the latter
has permitted Saiyid Kasim to work, at small cost, some experimental lime­
kilns near Maskat. Saiyid Kasim believes that he will he able considerably to
increase and cheapen the local supply and eventually, perhaps, to send lime lo
Karachi.
The quarantine arrangements, under the supervision of the Agency
Surgeon, have worked well during the
Fnblic Health, Hospital and Quarantine.
year.
The public health has been good and, with the exception of a solitary
plague case, lauded from one of the British India ships, which fortunately got
well, there were no epidemic diseases either in Maskat or Muttra during fee
year.
The Agency hospital was open to the public and the number of patieab
treated during the 12 months is 5,180 daily average being 14*13.
With the previous approval of His Majesty’s Secretary of State [o:
Foreign Affairs, the (Indian) Pilgrim Ship
Pilgrims Act.
,, . . . Act, 1895 (XIV of 1895), was ma*
applicable to British ships within the dominions of the Sultan of Maskat wu«
effect from 1st August 1912.
Three pilgrim ships of the Bombay-Persia Steam Navigation. Company
Limited visited Maskat during the year with pilgrims for Jeddah. One o’
them was found to he carrying more pilgrims than were shown on her cert**
ficate and, as her sanitary and accommodation arrangements were unsatisfactoiTi
the ship was detained and the excess 69 pilgrims were landed at Maskat a®
subsequently reshipped for Jeddah at the Company’s expense.
His Highness’ Customs remained in the management of Abdul
throughout the year and the kjj—g
Customs and Landing.
. . _ arrangements with the company oi
four Arabs referred to in last year’s report. Complaints of petty thefts
pilfering on board the ships nave been few, ana the landing arrange016®
seem to have worked satisfactorily. Complaints however of pilto^S *hj
the Customs wharf are still ocpasionally received and would no doubt oe