"الملف 35/87 VI A. 38 الإصلاحات والجمارك والشؤون المالية في مسقط" [و‎‎٩‎٩] (٤٤٠/٢٠٥)

three months.
As regards (a) the ezcess is due primarily to the
maintenance of State horses and camels, superfluous to
Military requirements. Six horses and nineteen camels and their
syces have recently "been withdrawn from Military charge to
ef:fect economy, * Items (h) (c) (d) are abnormal and non re
curring. Mr. Bower * s Depution will cost the State a futher
Us.2000/- in pension contributions. This will fall in the
second half of the year.
Ill REVENUES (Statistical Statement)
Chapters 1 11 ill and V call for no special comment.
Budget Estimates have heen realised to date and all indications
point to their continued realisation during the remainder of the
year.
Chapter IV Zakat "being almost exclusively a date tax and
the date harvest falling in the late Summer, Zakat revenues
except for arrears is collected largely in the gecond half
of the year. See para 11 above.
Chapters VI Vll Vlll and LX Collections show a slight
falling off as compared ?7ith those of the corresponding six
months of last year viz 1924 Ils.6S48/- 1925 Es.4756/- In the
oase of Quarantine Receipts this is due to (l) irregular ex
emptions (11) evasion by persons representing to belong to the
State Army. As regards Passport revenues the falling through of
the Pilgromage this year is held to hlame. Although the total
sum involved under these minor heads is small it is hoped that
an enquiry into each Department concerned will result in speed
ing up collection and in Estimates "being realised.
Chapoer X is a ne^v head. An Oil Concession has during
the period tinder review "been granted to the D'arcy Oil Company
(A.P.O.C.) A preliminary payment of Es.10,000 was made hy the
Company in May in consideration of a Prospecting Licence to run
for two years. Financial Provisions of this concession allow
of a futher payment of Es.10,000/- in May 1927 for an Exploration
Licence also to have a term of two years. Thereafter the State
■becomes entitled under a Mining Licence (if operations succeed I