"تقارير إدارية ١٩٠٥-١٩١٠" [ظ‎‎١‎٤‎٩] (٦١٦/٣٠٣)

106
■administeation eepoet of the peesian gulp political residency,
Commodore and the Political Resident landed and an informal visit was my
to Sheikh Jahir, who took His Excellency and his party round the town
of Kowcit.
On the following day, Sheikh Mubarak returned from Sirra, where he had
been for some days, and His Excellency paid him an official visit accompanied
bv the Political Resident, the Political Agent and the Plag Lieutenant of
H M S Rvacinth. The visit was returned at the Agency house by the
OhAilrb himself, who then left for Sirra and invited His Excellency and
Ms mrtf There. In the evening. His Excellency, the Political Resident and
the officers of the flagship accompanied by the Political Agent and Mrs. Knox
and Sheikh Jabir rode to Sirra. His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief and
his nartv were met at two miles from Sheikh Mubarak's camp by the younger
members of the Sheikh's family and about 40 Bedouin horsemen who galloped
across the line backwards and forwards shouting the Subah war cry and
firins: rifles. Sheikh Mubarak himself met the Commodore's party about half
a mile from his tents. The whole cavalcade then rode on and were received
in a large Persian tent. Here the guests were treated to light refreshment
during whi-h time speeches suitable to the occasion were exchanged between
the Commodore and the Sheikh. A display of beautiful Omani dromedaries
and droves of the Sheikh 's riding camels were an interesting feature of the visit.
Dinner, of which the Sheikh himself partook, was then served to the party in
EUr0 The n flagship with His Excellency left for Bahrein on the 15th April.
During the year the following ships of His Majesty's Navy visited the
port:
year
H. M. S. Proserpine once, H. M. S. Lapwing twice, H. M. 3. Redbreast
once, H. M. S. Sphinx 4 times, the R.I.M.S. Lawrence thrice,
the I. G. T. S. E. Fatrich Stewart once in November. On the
31st March the R. E. L. Surprise arrived. Visits were exchanged
between the Commandant of the ship and the Political Agent.
The Commandant and two other officers of the ship visited Sheikh
Mubarak. The Political Agent was present at the end of the
visit.
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V isits and T ours.
The Political Resident visited Koweit thrice during the year.
During the winter, two tours were made by the Political Agent in the
Koweit hinterland.
His Britannic Majesty's Consul at Basrah was visited at Christmas, and on
the way opportunity was taken to visit the new Sheikh of Zubair, Muhammad-
bin-Misbri, an old acquaintance of the Political Agent who was elected
Sheikh by the inhabitants of Zubair after the assassination of Khalid al'Aon
in the streets of Basrah on the 19th November. A visit was also paid during
the Political Agent's stay at Basrah to Sheikh Khazal of Muhammerah at
Eailiya, with whom Sheikh Mubarak was staying at the time. An interesting
detour to the west on the return journey made some slight additions to our
knowledge of the vexed geographical problem of the course of the Batia.
No visible signs of further encroachment on Koweit boundaries by the Turks .
was detected. In Eebruary, the Political Agent moved southwards and
reached the village of Anta'a about 150 miles south of Koweit. He was well
received by the Sheikh and inhabitants who unsolicited expressed their
allegiance to and affection for the Sheikh of Koweit.
No untoward incident marred the journey which was a severe test for the
camel transport.
Service in the escort is now greatly sought after and the scheme is
working well.
C ustoms.
The Customs Administration was managed by the Sheikh's slave, Aman,
up to 17th January 1908, when he was cast into prison and all his belongings
confiscated by the Sheikh for misappropriating customs revenue and