'Administration Report of the Persian Gulf Political Residency for the Years 1915-1919' [‎26v] (59/396)

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PERSIAN GULF The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. ADMINISTRATION REPORT
In May, His Highness imprisoned 4 of Ms subjects and fined them heavily
for surreptitiously selling the rifles "which had^ been issued to them by His
Highness through the Warehouse during the disturbances.
In November, 7 Baluchis, who were returning to Mekran from Moham-
merah, with 30 rifles and about 10,000 rounds ammunition concealed m their
personal effects, were intercepted at Maskat and detained at the Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. .
They were eventually sent to the Assistant Political Agent A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. , Panjgiirj with the
rifles and ammunition for disposal.
The public health has been good throughout the year. The Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent.
hospital was open for the public and the
Public health and Hospital and Quaranhne. number of patieDts treated during the
year was 7,292, daily average being 20. The Quarantine arrangements under
the supervision of the Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. has worked well. An allowance of Es. 100
per mensem was sanctioned for the Sub-Assistant Surgeon, who is in charge
of the quarantine arrangements, to be paid to him until an Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. Surgeon is
appointed to Maskat.
No pilgrim ship visited Maskat
Fllgnms ' during the year under report.
Salim bin Abdullah al Khaitnri remained in charge of His Highness*
— T _, Customs at Maskat from 1st January to
Customs and Landine:. «-,ii , ^ ^ ^ i ^
31st August on which date he was sus
pended by His Highness the Sultan on the formal protest made by this
Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. against the treatment accorded by him to the British Indian traders.
The Hindu community who rule Maskat market closed their business places
and refused to reopen until Salim Khaimri, Superintendent of His Highness'
Customs, was removed from his post or their grievances were redressed.
The chief cause of their attitude was the insult offered to the head of their
community while in the Customs House that morning (31st August J. Saiyid
Abu Saleh, a British Indian subject, who wtis in charge of the Matrah
Customs, was appointed to succeed Salim bin Khaimri. The latter's appoint
ment was received with satisfaction in general and British traders opened
their business places. There has not been any complaint against the working
of the Customs since. No complaints of pilfering were received during the
year. The landing arrangements have remained in the hands of Saiyid
Yusuf az Zuwawi throughout the year. Frequent complaints of overcarriage
of cargo have, however, been received from the local British India Steam
Navigation Company's Agents in consequence of the inability of the landing
contractor to provide sufficient lighters. Saiyid Yusuf promises to remedy this
but has not done so.
During the year under report applications for freedom were received
Slave trade. : ^ rom ^4 slaves of whom 20 were freed,
3 absconded and 1 was reconciled to his
master. Of the number 13 were from Mekran and the rest from Zanzibar.
On the 11th Eebruary His Excellency Lord Hardinge, Viceroy and
v -cf f rr- -n, t ^ tt tt . Governor-General of India, arrived in
Visit of His Excellency Lord Hardinge, Viceroy 1 • i i. -r t p
and Governor-General of India. IViaSKat OU Ills Way back to India from
Basrah on board H. M. S. " North--
brook". Suitable arrangements were made by His Highness the Sultan for
His ExeeHency's reception. Erom the Customs wharf, where His Excellency
landed, to His Highness palace the route was decorated and carpetted and
lined by the 95th Bussell's Infantry. His Excellency and suite, accompanied
y His Highness, his brothers and officials, proceeded to the palace audience
room especially prepared for the occasion. Here His Highness read an
Arabic address to which His Excellency replied. After this His Excellency
came to the British Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. where the British Indian residents presented an
address of welcome enclosed in a silver casket. His Excellency, after having
replied to the address, rcceiTed visits from the Eorcign Consuls in the Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent.
drawing room and, later on, proceeded to Darsait in the " Northhrook " and
there reviewed the 2 regiments of the Maskat garrison, leaving for Karachi
the same evening on board the " Northbrook ".