'File 35/87 VI A. 38 Muscat reforms, customs, finances' [‎63r] (133/440)

<§) 6?
it is difficult to aotiraats what the cost of the steamer
8US898ted ab0Ve 1JOUld be a serviceable second-hand one '
could probably be obtained eventually for about Rs.20000.
^e a.s. Mur-iJl-Bahar was, I believe, rather larger than
necessary hut I have not been able to obtain M! y detailed
particulars about her nor about the cost of her upkeep. It raust
be remembered that to keep a sterner in regular commission she
would require to be Dry-Docked and overhauled every few years
and ohe nearest place where this could be done properly would
be Karachi. Taking this Ury-Docking into account the cost of
running and upkeep would be an expensive item and would probabl;
-or-, out on Em average not much under lis.8000/- a month or
^4000/- a year allowing for.say, three trips each to the
most distant outports ilorth-i/eat & aouth -Sast.
'i'hese figures are of course only a very rough estimate as
unless the size and condition of the boat andher coal consumptio
number of crew etc. are known it is not possible to estimate at
all accurately Jier* running oost.
It is estimated by the Director Seneral of Customs that
extra revenue of about Hs.l lakh One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees would be collected with the aid
of a such a vessel. If we take half this sum to be nearer the
-ark and if we spread the initial cost over say 10 years^fe
Un a intfai 6.,t on the capital cost expended) viz Rs.3000/-
.7 and add thio to the annual upkeep we get Rs.27000/- a
-v ^ yxeiaxns Hs.50000/- a year or a profit of Hs ,23000/ t a year.
Ho.v far those i nsures would materialize in practice it is
-ifficult to a ay ma l do not know whether the suggested boat
woula give all the beneficial results claimed for it. it would
certainly enable the Director General to pay surprise viaita to
the outports and to maintain more personal control over the
Local Directors.*
It would also facilitate the taking over by the Customs
Department of the direct collection of duty at the porta of
Murair, Abu Bakra, Shinae.Khuaaifin and Liwa. (underlined in red
in the attached map).
It