'تقرير الإدارة عن المقيمية السياسية في الخليج الفارسي للسنوات ١-١٩١٤" [و‎‎١‎٣‎٠] (٤٨٨/٢٦٤)

FOE. THE YEAR 1912.
121
H. M S. "Odin," 28tli April.
H. M. S. "Sphinx," on 29tli July,
H. I. M, S. " Lawrence,*' four times during the year.
E, I. M. S. tc Palinurus " which was engaged in the survey work called
several times in the first quarter of the year.
The news of the institution of the Arms Warehouse in Maskat
Arms Traffic was rece i vec l as flight have been expected
with some dissatisfaction particularly by
those traders still interested in the Arms Traffic. From reports reaching
the Political Agent it appears that arms, evidently from old stocks, do
still find their way to Kuwait in small quantities probably from Katr,
though the high price weapons fetch in Kuwait shows that the traffic cannot
be extensive, • About the beginning of April there was an unconfirmed rumour
that 1,200 rifles had been landed secretly at Shuwaikh. Some arms certainly
appeared to have been landed, but enquiries did not establish their number or
from what vessel and in whose interest.
A certain amount of feeling was aroused on the arrival of several large
buggalows returning from India which had been searched by His Majesty's
Ships for arms. As none were found on board and the owners were respect
able men the Shaikh took up their complaint rather strongly. The loss and
damage suffered in the process of search was subsequently compensated by the
Government of India.
M. Ibrahim Elbaz, the Trench arms dealer in Maskat, arrived on the
13th June with Nakhoda Mahdu Abdulla. He spent three weeks in Kuwait
and left on the 5th July after closing his accounts with his former agent,
Abdulla Atiji. He was reported to have approached several merchants for
appointment as his agents but the offer was declined.
The Shaikh was given permission to import 6,000 arms for his own and
his people's use on the understanding that they should not be sold elsewhere.
He has not up to date availed himself of the full number permitted.
Qnly one application was received for manumission during the year from a
Slave Trade local slave woman ; her case was investi
gated and subsequently she became recon-
. ciled to her master.
The Kuwait pearling fleet left for the banks early in May with at least
p parl ^ . 100 new boats added. The fleet returned
during August for the Eamazan fast
month and returned to the banks for a month's fishing during September and
October.
The catch of pearls was very fair and slightly above average ; prices were,
however, very high, and pearl-towashes were compelled to pay dearly for what
they bought from the boats. The result has been that the divers have had
an excellent season, in a few cases a diver's share having been as much as
Es. 1,500 to 2,000, but there were very many, on the other hand, who did not
receive more than Es. 200. Three notably fine pearls were fished which
were sold from the boats for Es. 47,000, Es. 27,000 and Es. 23,000 respec
tively ; the first was a perfect sphere said to be the size of a small marble and
to weigh some 17 carats. Prices appear to have ruled quite 20 to 30 per cent,
higher than last year, but there was a sudden drop and a stagnant market at
the close of the year following on the outbreak of the Turco-Balkan war.
News of a piracy off Katr reached Kuwait on 30th December 1912.
p iracy The 'victims were it appears a Nakhoda
Husein, his son and a Kuwait Arab
who had left Kuwait in their own bellam " for Basrah and thence Katr
and Oman ports with a cargo of dates for sale. Whilst returning to Kuwait
the three were murdered by the rest of the crew who coveted their goods and
money. The crew made for the Persian coast and whilst weather-bound off
Eas Naband, the Shaikh of the place, Sagar bin Khalfan, on the information of
a negro member of the crew, arrested them. On information reaching Kuwait
the culprits were, through the Eesidency, transferred to Kuwait for trial.