'Adminisistration [Administration] Reports 1931-1935' [‎203r] (405/416)

69
India. _ v\ 7 hen leaving Muscat His Highness announced his intention of
returning in A.pnl and arrangements, at his recjuest, were made for a
Tanker of the Anglo-Iranian Oil Company to call in for him, but he has
since written to say that he intends to stay on in Dhofar until the autumn.
It appears as if His Highness’s inclination
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say that he intends to stay on in Dhofar until the
x- 1 - if His Highness’s inclination is to follow in the footsteps
of his father, Saiyid Taimur, and somewhat neglect the affairs of his State
oi ms lauiier, oaiyia rairnur, ana somewnat neglect the affairs of his S
and devote most of his time to personal amusements. He is engaged ^
re-building and decorating his house in Salalah where he has just installed
electric lighting and refrigeration. His Highness’s time in Dhofar is
chiefly occupied in carrying out improvements to his house and personal
property, proceeding on hunting expeditions in the near neighbourhood,
experiments in cultivation and generally in the pursuits of a country gentle
man. Many riding horses, motor cars, cinema and radio installation and
a Court Jester, all taken down from Muscat, complete the amenities of life
in Dhofar.
The vast majority of the inhabitants of Muscat and Oman are so
poverty stricken and occupied with earning their daily pittance that the
prolonged absence of their Sultan means nothing to them. The small com
paratively well to do community are exclusively engaged in trade and
interested in nothing else. Real resentment and discontent at the Sultan’s
neglect of his capital and his government is confined to the Ruling Family
whose dislikes and jealousies amongst themselves, however, prevent them
from effectively combining to undermine the Sultan’s authority, a measure
which they are all desirous of accomplishing. It is rumoured that the
Sultan recently withdrew Rs. 2,00,000 from the State Funds in the Bank
at Bombay to cover part of his expenses while at Salalah. This act is greatly
resented by the Ruling Family who consider the money belongs to the State
and is not for the personal use of the Sultan.
(b) Saiyid Hamad bin Faisal, one of His Highness’s uncles, who had
held the post of the Wall of Matrah since he was removed from the governor
ship of Sohar in 1930, was relieved for his duties when he returned from
India in August on the pretext of his ill health. The real cause of his
discharge was that His Highness had received numerous complaints ot his
neglect of his duties and his ill-treatment of people. ^ • • u
(c) Saiyid Mahmud bin Mohammad bin TwH, a cousin of His High
ness was appointed and continues to be the Wall of Matrah.
(d) Saiyid Nadir, the senior uncle of His Highness, has, as m the pas,
maintained friendly relations with the Sheikhs and the Imam of Oman, with
whom he maintains a constant correspondence He refuses to take an
interest in State affairs owing to his continuing to nurse a grievance over
the reduction made in his allowance in 19dd. ,
(el Saivid Shahab bin Faisal, the favourite uncle of His Highness, re-
( 1 x Altnn whenever he was absent from the capital. He has
wssse«a sa-r £
Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. ind >• ‘«to, ot to—, rem.inri prnotic.il,
2. Financial A dviser. The throughout the year though the
in charge of financial affairs of b .‘ a ‘ e , “2“ of His Highness,
control of the finances waa / balance at the commencement of the
3. State Finances.—Ahe °E, en ‘ I 2 Thi fl „ ure however, excludes
year showed a credit of p-.^l^Ahich amount to Rs. 72,000. Corn-
debts due by the State to loca „ . 695-7 is shown.. This financial
pared with last year an increase of Rs. l,u ,0^ satisfactory . The chief
position can, for Muscat be descnbede continu y ed e g ect of the reduction
causes contributing to this res ^ w e ^ ^ c incr ease in the import
.;±S; i m“^3Trc , n.»». d.uo. which „
1934. , „„ „ nr ,Hnued for 1935 on the informal
The Arms Traffic Subm y ^ means of a “Gentleman’s Agree-
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in