Coll 30/9 'Persian Gulf: Administration Reports 1926-1938' [‎505r] (1014/1028)

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Muscat Infantry .—Captain G. J. Eccles was in Command of the In'
1st January to 15th May when he was relieved by Captain R.
W, G. Stephens who continued in Command till the end of the year.
An unfortunate incident took place in January when a sepoy Term used in English to refer to an Indian infantryman. Carries some derogatory connotations as sometimes used as a means of othering and emphasising race, colour, origins, or rank. ran amok
and after wounding another sepoy Term used in English to refer to an Indian infantryman. Carries some derogatory connotations as sometimes used as a means of othering and emphasising race, colour, origins, or rank. ran away to the hills at night with his
rifle and ammunition. He was traced the next morning and attempts were
made to capture him when he opened fire and killed another sepoy Term used in English to refer to an Indian infantryman. Carries some derogatory connotations as sometimes used as a means of othering and emphasising race, colour, origins, or rank. . While
he was thus engaged Captain Eccles bravely walked up to him from behind
and having coaxed hinl took charge of his rifle and promising to save his
life brought him to the barracks and put him in the quarter guard. He
was tried by the Council of Ministers and was, at the recommendation of
Captain Eccles, sentenced to 10 years imprisonment in the fort at Sohar.
The Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. Indian guard detachment was withdrawn towards the end
of March and has been replaced by a detachment from the Muscat Infantry.
The corps is well disciplined.
Climate.—I lYlq total rainfall for the year amounted to 2 86 inches as
against 2‘20 inches last year.
CHAPTER VIH.
ADMINISTRATION REPORT ON THE TRUCIAL COAST A name used by Britain from the nineteenth century to 1971 to refer to the present-day United Arab Emirates. OF ’OMAN
FOR THE YEAR 1926.
Personnel .—Khan Bahadur Isa bin Abdul Latif continued as Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India.
Agent.
Slave Trade .—Eight negro slaves were manumitted during the year.
Two Baluchis kidnapped from the Mekran Coast were also liberated; and
one Hedjazi, captured by Ibn Sa’ud’s troops in a fight at Medinah, was
sold at Qatar, and escaped from his master near Lingah, where he took
refuge and was freed.
Three Hindu boys, British Indian subjects, kidnapped from Karachi,
brought to Gwadur and sold into slavery on the Trucial Coast A name used by Britain from the nineteenth century to 1971 to refer to the present-day United Arab Emirates. , were re
covered and repatriated.
Criminal action is being taken in Karachi against two Mohammedan
British Indian subjects concerned in the offences.
Attempts are being made to trace a fourth Hindu boy reported to have
been similarly kidnapped and sold into slavery.
Pearl Fishery .—The bad fishery of 1925 and the poor market for pearls
resulted in a scarcity of money at the beginning of the 1926 season, and the
divers and haulers were with difficulty provided with the necessary supplies.
A meeting was held at which it was settled that divers should receive Rs. 100
and two bags of rice and haulers Rs. 70 and one bag of rice, as against
the normal figures of Rs. 400—600 for divers and Rs. 200—300 for haulers.
The fishery started on the 4th July and, owing to a scarcity of pearls and
no improvement in the market, was very bad. An average boat’s earnings
were 40 per cent, less than in the previous year. Some divers, therefore,
arranged to dive on the pearl banks of Sokotra Island, and Dahlak Island,
off the coast of Eritrea. Fourteen boats left Debai on the 21st November
for the Red Sea, as the Italian Government notified that they had no ob
jection.
Relations with Nejd .—Ibn Sa’ud has not outwardly been so active in
1926 as in 1925 in encroaching towards Trucial ’Oman, but in February it
was reported that the Amir of Hasa had sent out police to Shargah in
pursuit of a Nejdi subject, wanted for murder in Nejd. The man had,
however, prudently fled elsewhere.
The Nejdi slave dealers showed increased activity, and it was clear that
the Trucial Shaikhs were afraid to tackle them.