'File [XI A/1] Muscat Administration Reports and related correspondence' [‎180r] (364/390)

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7. PIRACY .
During the early and middle parts of the year, an
Iranian Baluchi named Mirza bin Birkat was carrying on slaving
and piracy from a base in Fujairah, where he enjoyed the protection
of the Sheikh. He was subsequently evicted on pressure being
brought to bear on the Sheikh through the Wali of Sohar; and the
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. , Bahrain, who later visited Fujairah, found that
he had shifted his headquarters, and cautioned the Sheikh against
receiving him again. At the close of the year, he was reported
to be based near Jask (he is a Jaski).
8. FRENCH INTERESTS .
The French Consulate remained closed throughout the year.
9. MISSIONARY WORK .
The evangelical work of the American South Arabian
Mission (The Dutch Reformed Church of the United States of America)
has been carried on by the Rev. and Mrs. Dykstra. They left for
their usual hot weather visit to South India in August and
returned in October. Dr. W.W. Thongs remained in charge of the
medical side of the Mission at their hospital at Matrah; and he
has a new assistant, Dr. Job.
10. SLAVERY .
During the year thirty-eight slaves applied for
manumission certificates and twenty-seven slaves were manumitted.
Of the thirty-eight applicants twenty-two were captured slaves
(of whom fifteen were manumitted) and the remainder were domestic
slaves.
11. WEATHER .
The total rainfall during the year was 0.53 inches. The
lack of rain was felt throughout the year and the local drinkir
water supply has become unpleasantly salt. The summer this year
was one of the most intolerable ever experienced.