Coll 30/9 'Persian Gulf: Administration Reports 1926-1938' [‎359r] (722/1028)

some 600 miles from Muscat no reply could be sent, as Mr. Thomas had
left Dhofar for an unknown destination. It was subsequently as
certained that he had started off to cross the Ruba-el-Khali. Said
Saiyid performed Mr. Thomas’ duties until the 27th December when
Mr. S. E. Hedgcock, the new Financial Adviser, arrived.
14. Minister of Justice .— This post was held throughout the year by Shaikh
Zubair.
15. Finance .— The financial situation of the State at the close of the year ;
as appraised by Mr. Hedgcock, was serious, as can be seen from the following
figures :—
•
Rs.
Rs.
Due to local merchants and others ..
..
1,16,577
Due to officials and others as pay for December
48,470
• •
Cash in hand
29,168
. •
Net deficit
• • • •
19,302
Total outstanding op 31st December 1930 .. .. 1,35,879
Various measures to deal with the financial situation crisis are under consideration.
Districts.
16. Sur. —Affairs at Sur gave cause for some anxiety throughout the year
until the winter. Sur is one of the most prosperous ports in ’ Oman and the State
should derive a large revenue from it in the shape of customs dues. (By far the
largest source of State revenue is derived from such dues.) The local tribes, how
ever, chief of whom are the Jenebeh, actually occupying the port, and the Bani Bu
Air—further inland—are of a somewhat truculent disposition, particularly the
latter, and for some time past had claimed to be independent Of Muscat, and hoisted
their own flag, in a small quarter of the town—Aiqa—which certain of their
elements occupy. Dissension amongst the Jenebeh which reduced Sur to a state
of anarchy, enabled the Bani Bu Ali to take sides with certain sections of the Jenebeh
against others, and to interfere with the internal administration of the town. A
general policy was adopted, in conjunction with the Council of ATinisters, of com
posing the differences of the Jenebeh, so that they might form a block against the
intrigues of the Bani Bu Ali, and of inducing the latter at any rate to lower their flag
in Aiqa as a mark of obedience to the State. The Hon’ble the Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency.
visited the town in August and interviewed the Jenebeh Shaikhs as well as
Ali bin Abdullah, the chief Shaikh of the Bani Bu Ali. As a result of his
visit the Jenebeh promised to settle their differences and the Bam Bu All
hauled down their flag and flew that of the State. In September Said Saiyid also
paid a successful visit to the town during which he composed—at least temporarily—
the differences of the Jenebeh, and in November 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. likewise visited
Sur. As a result of these personal visits peace was established in this town,
which at the beginning of the year was the scene of constant disturbances.
Further measures are under consideration with a view to consolidating the
authority of the State at Sur, and increasing the revenues derived from this port.
17. The Batineh. —The Batineh coast remained quiet during the year.
18. Ruus-al-Jabal. —In March surveying parties from H. M. S. “ Ormonde
were prevented from landing at Khasab by the Shaikh of that place, Shaikh Hassan
who further refused to obey the orders of the Muscat State on the subject, cut off
supplies from the Wali of Khasab—the representative of the State—and generally
adopted an openly rebellious attitude. Both in view of the local situation at Khasab
itself, and also on account of the general effect which the Shaikh’s attitude was
having on the jest of ’ Oman, the State sought the support of the British Govern
ment in suppressing the revolt and authority was granted to the Senior Naval
Officer to issue an ultimatum to the Shaikh calling on him to surrender, and if he
refused to take the necessary measures to enforce its terms. As the Shaikh refused
to surrender H. M. S. 4 Lupin and Cyclamen m company 'with the State
gunboat “ A1 Said”, commenced operations on the 20th April. Khasab was bom
barded, and later the Muscat state declared the port closed to dhow A term adopted by British officials to refer to local sailing vessels in the western Indian Ocean. traffic..