'File 35/64 III Minerals in Oman. Madrasai geologists' researches' [‎108r] (224/276)

3
^ worked at a profit. The manganese would not pay owing to cost of trans
port. As for the lead superficially there is a good deal, hut we were not allowed
to dig, and so it is difficult to say whether sufficient exists for working at a
profit.
r K. MUETHI.
Med 20th November 1911.
Sub -enclosure 3.
Note hy Ilrahim bin Muhammad bin Jumaa.
" Karandam " (corundum) is found in the village Iti, two hours' journey
from Maskat by sea, right up to Hatat, both in the rocks as well as valleys.
"Minjanis " (manganese) is found (1) in Al-Hootah, three hours' journey
(inland) from Iti and also at about four places in Hatat.
{< Rasas " (lead) is found in Al-Hootah and also in Saadi, Jahloot and
Saleel in various quantities at a number of places.
Sub-enclosure 4.
Translation of letter, dated the 24th Dhil-QaMa 1329 H.=:14th November, from His
Highness the Sultan of Maskat to 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. , Maskat.
After compliments. —According to the Treaty in the correspondence dated
9th Shaban 130S=20th March 1891, we ask your honour whether you desire
the mines which the surveyors with us have discovered and it is also desired
from vour honour that you inform our honoured friend the Colonel (Political
Resident wEb was then staying at the Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. at Maskat) about that, for we
expect a reply at the earliest possible date. Usual ending.
Sub-enclosure 5.
Translation of letter No. 1486, dated 16th November 1911, from 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. and His
Britannic Majesty's Consul, Maskat, to His Highness the Sultan of Maskat.
ifter compliments.— 1 write to acknowledge with thanks Your Honour's
letter dated 24th Dhil-Qa'da 1329, which I have shewn to Colonel Cox as you
requested.
We are of opinion that Government should no doubt like the refusal of
the working of such mines until such time as Your Honour has been able to put
them in possession of full information regarding the minerals and of specimens
thereof which have been discovered and we would strongly advise you to under
take no serious expenditure until the specimens have been submitted to
examination by recognised experts and you have received their report.
If you will be good enough to send me samples and a copy of the report of
the surveyors, I shall be happy to submit them to higher authority for neces
sary actions. Usual ending.
Sub-enclosure 6.
Translation of letter, dated 28th Dhil-Cla'da 1329 (19tli November 1911), from His Highneee
the Sultan to 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. , Maskat.
After compliments. —I received your esteemed letter dated 16th Kovember
1911 in reply to our previous letter to your address and what you observe is
understood. As you desire, the sample of the minerals is sent to you and we
have directed the geologists to go to your honour so that you may take their
statement in person.
And as to your advice we have not, from the beginning, meant to under
take any large expenditure because the expense and performance would lie on
whoever undertakes these concerns according to his own exertions and goo
fortune. This, and we await a reply from you at your earliest convenience and
conclude our letter with salaam.
8. G. P. I.—No. 1725 F. D.—15-1-1912—44—P. M. M.