'Administration Report of the Persian Gulf Political Residency for the Years 1915-1919' [‎73v] (153/396)

68
PERSIAN GULP ADMINISTRATION REPORT
It is stated that there is on the Batinah coast a certain amount of traffic in
slaves with Mekran, a matter which is receiving due attention.
The French Consul, Monsieur Jeanmer, has now been in Maskat for
7 years. His health is suffering in con.
' Frdnch Interest9 - sequence and he is constantly iil
fever and rheumatism while his nerves are going to pieces. He rarely leaves
his house thus, though relations are cordial, a meeting necessitates a visit to
him and he hardly mixes in the European life of the place.
Abdul Aziz, the Prench Dragoman, notorious in the past for his anti -British
conduct, once previously expressed a desire to enter British service. A sound
ing of the present incumbent on the same subject can only have emanated
from him. It is to be suspected that Abdul Aziz is in touch with the rebel
tribes of the interior.
There is only one French subject in Maskat, an Algerian convert to
Muhammadanism from Judaism and a nephew of Monsieur Gugoyer, one
Ibrahim Elbaz Gugoyer.
The French Torpedo Boats " Lefronde" and " Perecote" arrived from Bom
bay and left for Aden on the 22nd February.
Instructions were received, in December, that the French Government had
agreed to lend to His Majesty's Government the French Coal and Oil Dep6t
and sheds at Mokalla for the purpose of enabling fuel oil to be stored for ships
proceeding to Basrah but, up to the end of the year, the French Counsul had not
received his official instructions to hand over the Dep6t. (Ihese were received
later and the Depot was duly taken over.)
The list of Oman dhows entitled to fly the French flag showed 12 vessels
enjoying that privilege.
There is a remarkable divergence of opinion in previous reports on the
Health. health of Maskat due no doubt to the
variation in different years.
Prevalence of malarial fevers is, however, shown by the medical returns of
the various regiments which have been stationed at Bait-ul-Falaj.
The highest number of men admitted into hospital from all diseases in one
month was, in 1915, in the month of February 365 men out of a strength of
96b while in 1916 it fell to 13o men out of 901 in the month of June. In
]91 t ), 1,459 cases of malaria occurred a number which was reduced to 380 in
1916.
The prevailing illnesses where malaria, diarrhoea and hoils, the malarial
months being from December to April.
Out of a detachment of men working on a piquet, in August 25 got sun
stroke, 3 cases being fatal. 0 0
There were no epidemics during the year.
A useful icport on the general health of the place is to be found in an
article written by Major C. Gill, I.M.S, Medical Officer of the 95th Russells
Infantry entitled " Malaria in Maskat " and published in July 1916 by the
Indian Journal of Medical Eesearch.
The Reverend F. J. Barny was in charge of clerical side while Dr. (Miss) S.
amrican Mission. Hosman conducts the women's and child-
1 j -p. .. n •% r reil ' s hospital,
u ammad Fazil of Messrs. ToweU and Company, Agents to the British
Obituary. India Steam Navigation Company and
formerly American Vice-Consul, died on
The total rainfall for the vear waif^1 fVdf U + (
Rainfall. ^ 2 , wasJ0^5 inches against ar. average ol
January 3-85 toThes^ell^l^lnche^Til V lmn " tlle week ending the 29fh
April W 2-44 inches during the week enlinfthe" HthAprif ^ ^
L HA WORTH, Major,