"تقارير إدارية ١٩٢٠-١٩٢٤" [و‎‎٤‎٠] (٤١٢/٨٤)

persian gulf political residency, 1920.
61
The 2-lst Brahmans were relieved by l-117th Mahrattas from Bushire on
„ v 9th May. The latter remained here till
British Troops. the end of the year.
During the year under report proposals were put up for increasing the pay
and the establishment of the Agency. Statistics show that the volume of work
c , . has almost doubled since 1912, while the
Agency Staff, etc. . - . . '■
prices of necessaries have more than
doubled. Relief was previously granted by the compensation given for the
high rate of the dollar, but with the rapidly falling exchange this has become
inadequate.
Considerable repairs have been undertaken as regards buildings. It is in
teresting to note that two excellent rooms were discovered filled with lumber
some 23 years old which on cleaning out have furnished a good guard room anM
store. An investigation of the stationery scattered about the Agency showed
5 years store at least had been unwittingly accumulated.
Means of transport for the Political Agent continue a difficulty. As
present he is the possessor of a debilitated jolly boat seating with difficulty his
emaciated form and possibly one other person, propelled at about 2 miles an
hour by two fever-stricken khallasis. A steam tug was sent from Basra early
in the year but proved unsuitable, and expensive. The Hon'ble the Political
Resident in the Persian Gulf has recommended that a small motor launch be
supplied to the Political Agent, which would permit him to make short trips
up and down the coast in fine weather. Touring is necessary for the work and
advantageous for the health of the Political Agent. With the very unfrequent
visits of His Majesty's Ships it is impossible for him to obtain lifts on these as
formerly.
The Hon'ble the Political Resident kindly sanctioned the purchase of an
outboard motor. This has proved most useful for visiting ships and for har
bour work.
The Hon'ble Lieutenant-Colonel A. P. Trevor, C.S.I., C.I.E., Political
Vi&it9 Resident in the Persian, Gulf paid three
visits to Muscat during the year as
follows :—
Date of arrival Date of departure.
10-4-1920 10-4-1920
31-10-1920 1-11-1920
28-11-1920 28-11-1920
Lieutenant-Colonel Sir A. T. Wilson, K.C.I.E., C.S.T., C.M.G., D.S.O.,
who was travelling in R. I. M. S. Laxorence landed at the Agency on 1st
November.
His Excellency Rear Admiral Sir Hugh Tothill, K.C.B., Naval Com
mander-in-Chief of East Indies Squadron, arrived on 26th February on board
the flagship Highflyer, After exchanging visits with His Highness the Sultan
of Muscat on 27th left for Karachi.
Mr. E. E. Gunter, Director, Indo-European Telegraphs, arrived in I. E. T. S.
on 15th December and after paying a visit to the Political
Agent left for Jask the same day.
Mr. Crossle, Executive Engineer, Persian Gulf, arrived on 17th November
and left on 19th.
Mr. S. S. Stout, Deputy Director, Postal Services, Persian Gulf, arrived on
28th April and left on 6th May.
Slave Trade. 13 slaves took refuge in the Consulate,
of whom 11 were manumitted.
A serious case of kidnapping from Wadham occurred in March. The
slaves and dealers succeeded in escaping finally into Bareimi. The incident
caused the Kazm affair. It is almost impossible to trace slaves once they are
taken into the hinterland.