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cavalry who had marched vid Kowoit. Tho two gun-boats were ordered to meet
him at Bidaa.
231. In consequcnco of the reports in June 1S93 of a largo tribal gathering
of thoBoni-Hajar, Morrah, and Mannsir, to attack the Beni-Khalid, it was found
necessary of provide a guard of Turkish troops to escort the ilasa caravan for
Ojair. Tho projected raid collapsed, the tribesmen returning with little booty.
232. In February 1891 tho Bedouins of the Dowasir tribe raided a caravan
on the road between Ilasa and Katif, and carried off somo goods; on learning
however, that tho caravan was escorted by a man of their tribe, the robbers
made restitution.
233. Cholera broke out at Katif and lasted for over a month in July and
August 1893. At tho commencement of the outbreak, the death rato was 10
to 15 daily ; it subsequently rose to 50 or 60 daily.
234. The Wali of Basrah visited Katif on his way back to his head-quar­
ters from Bidaa in May J 893.
235. The people of the place having petitioned against the Kaim-Makam
and complained against his malpractices, he was removed from his post in
July 1893. The new Governor, Raouf Effondi, did not, however, assume
charge of tho duties of his post till January 1894.
236. In January 1891 the Turkish gun-boat llujdeh-Iiesan arrived at
Katif with 90 military reliefs ; 30 of these were landed at Katif for Ojair, and
the remainder were conveyed to Katar.
i 237. In April 1891 Said Pasha, the Mutasarrif of Hasa resigned, and
Ibrahim Fasha, formerly of Hodcida, was
Ibrahim Pasha (1894-96.) appointed in his place. A struggle was
Gulf administration Report for 1891-95.
maintained almost throughout the year
between the people and the authorities, in regard to the enhanced assessment of
the date produce for export, caused by the fall in silver value, the injustice of
the mode of assessment, and the exactions of the customs master. Two or
three deputations proceeded to Basrah to appeal to the Wali in the matter,
but though a commission was appointed to arrange the matter, the grievances
remained unredressed.
238. An appeal to the Supreme Government proving also unavailing, the
merchants and others began to seek refuge at Bahrein and in January 1896,
the number of these refugees amounted to about 130, and a further exodus was
reported in February. A demand for arrears of the duty for the two
previous years, added to the general discontent, which was still further aggra­
vated by tho high-handed exaction by the Turkish soldiery, of krans at the
exchange rates of 6J for the dollar.
239. Finally, in March 1895, the Governor of Hasa, while still refusing
the concessions asked for, having, upon the instructions from Basrah, pro­
mised a better arrangement for the ensuing year, and having also dismissed
the tax collector, who had made himself obnoxious to the people of Katif, those
who had taken refuge at Bahrein wero induced to return.
240. The Governor of Ilasa with the objeot of gaining oredit with his
Goverment, undertook an expedition for
Qulf Administration Report for 1805*96.
the purpose of establishing a more olfec-
tive and profitable Turkish control over the Ajman, Morrah and other tribes,
who had hitherto paid only a nominal tax. The Ajman while admitting bis
demands pleaded their inability to pay without recovery of their property pil­
laged by the Moteyr and seized by Mahomed Ibn Rashid. The Governor
accordingly attackod tho Moteyr with the help of Ajman and other tribes, cap­
turing some of their animals. He was thon summoned to Basrah, and aftor bis
return was active in encouraging tho hostilo attitude taken by Shoikh Jasim
bin Mahomed Thnni in support of tho Al bin Ali resistence to the Bahrein
Chief which is noticed in the Katar Freds.