"مسقط. وزير مسقط - التعيين، الإجازات، الأجر، وغير ذلك" [و‎‎٢‎١] (٥٤٦/٤٩)

done by the Council.
Thomas is a capable man in many ^ays. He has
ability in dealing "^ith Arabs, but he is not invariably
sound and does not tolerate restraint. He was largely
responsible for bringing the Sur situation to a head
in 1927. His sadzure of an Araraa sambuk caused friction
^ith the only section at Sur weix disposed towards the
State, whilst his subsequent declaration of a fine of
Rs 10,000/- on the Arama and his letter to the Bani Bu
Ali calling on them to assist in recovering the fine,
was ill advised, to say the least. His action on this
occasion was taken without the approval either of the
other members of the Council or of myself. It no doubt
furthered the trip from Sur to Dhofar he undertook just
subsequently. His chief interest is in exploration with
its kindred subjects and where his own interests are
involved they win always be placed first.
^ The vital question at the moment is finance
and supervision over finance is essential, but I would
feel more confident wiA an officer who kept his nose to
the grindstone and confined his attention and energies
to finance than I do with Thomas in spite of his abil
ities. A less highly paid officer would seem to me more
in keeping with the financial resources of the State.
I should like to see a little more responsi
bility placed on Arab Ministers but with a masterful
character like Thomas they would undoubtedly be over
shadowed. I think too that if a junior officer were
appointed here he would find the situation intolerable.
Thomas ^ould certainly take charge; he has tried it
with me once or twice.
Under