'Administration Report of the Persian Gulf for the Year 1937' [‎31r] (61/72)

61
CHAPTER VIII.
ADMINISTRATION REPORT OF THE POLITICAL AGENCY An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. , ML SCAT,
FOR 1937.
P art I.
1. Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. Officials—
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. . —Major R. P. Watts, I.A., throughout the year.
Mfdical Officer. —Assistant Surgeon R. Easey, I.M.D., from 1st to 18th
January. Assistant Surgeon C. E. Hynes, I.M.D., 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 Aaency Hospital. —(a) The total number of patients treated during
the vear was 7,675 of which 7,598 were " out patients " and 77 " in patients ''.
This number shows a decrease of 316 compared uith last year. J ho 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.
lb) 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 F/.-The Coronation of Their
Maiestv's King George VI and Queen Elizabeth was celebrated at Muscat on
Mav 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 m unison.
The Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. 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 An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. in the evening which was
attended 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 AffaiTS. —(o) 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 m that district than
the Imam himself. It was Shaikh Tsa who as a young man was the leader
of the Omam forces in their abortive attack on Muscat m 1915 which was
renelled bv Indian troops then stationed here and since that period he has
never visited the capital again. According to the Su tan'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 01 the