Coll 30/9 'Persian Gulf: Administration Reports 1926-1938' [‎236r] (476/1028)

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The availability of this rapid means of transport has proved of invaluable
assistance 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. in visiting Dhofar and other outlying portions
of the Sultanate which would have otherwise remained inaccessible.
7. Aviation, General. —The Aerodrome at Gwadur has been regularly used
by Imperial Airways for their weekly service whilst Royal Air Force units
from ’Iraq and Quetta respectively have also alighted here in the course of long
distance cruises. A few private individuals have also availed themselves of
the aerodrome.
His Highness the Sultan has now been pleased to accord passage and land-
in o- facilities at this Aerodrome to the Dutch Government for the benefit of the
KL. M. Coy. and it now merely remains to settle the consideration.
The hopes that it would be possible: to establish an emergency_ landing
<>TOund at Kalba for the use of Imperial Airways have not matured owing to the
obdurate attitude of the Sheikh of this place. An emergency landing ground
has been selected therefore at Shinas and is now available for use.
8. Foreign ]nt ere As.—American interests remained in the hands of 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. during the year.
The French Consulate remained closed but Monsieur Cassin, the French
Vice-Consul at Bushire, paid a short un-official visit to Muscat in March.
During his stay, his chief concern was the repair of the French Consulate
building and the finding out of such little French property that still remains in
Monsieur Cassin left for India on the 17th March to obtain his pilot’s cer
tificate as an aviator and, on his return journey, came ashore tor a few hours
only. . . .
' 9 Missionary Endeavour.-The work of the American Mission (The Dutch
Reformed Church of the U. S. A.) was in the mam earned on by ^e Rewh Mn
and Mrs. Dvkstra and Doctor and Mrs. Harrison. Di btoim, who lemined
from"Dhofar in January, proceeded on a short tour to bur, before ta mg ong
leave in April.
The new Mission Hospital at Matrah though not yet fully completed was
opened in October and the Medical Officer in charge (Dr. Harrison) has since
occupied his new residence which adjoins the hospital.
Both hospital and residential quarters are equipped throughout with every
modern convenience including electric light and fans, running water m baUis
Wots sentic tanks refrigerators and labour saving devices m the Kitchen
department. ‘ The entire residfntial quarters and essential portions of the hos
pital are fly-proofed throughout.
Te-nite of adverse linancial conditions the responsible Mission authorities
considered the fo^goLg as essentials to the health and well being of their
J -GP
in ivn'ldino^ b«ive been so designed, and constructed of such materials, as
to obviate the necessity of “annual repairs » for the next 15 years under normal
conditions. comprising 17 males and 4 females, took refuge in
the Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. ^fluring the year’ and were manumitted in due course
the .na
55.3° in January respectively.
. • tt nf a << TTawVin <3 ” Fla o ’shfo of Vice Admiral M. B.
Dunbar-Nmmflthihnnmanding "the East Indies Squadron visited Muscat on 24th
October and left on the same day^ ^ ^ „ both of t he East Indies
Squ^imifpMd S’visits^o Muscat'on 3rd April and 9th December respec-
' '' 'i n ,„ visit of the 1st Destroyer Flotilla of the Mediterranean Fleet has
« ^ Government Officials to this Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. are shown in Appendix “ B ”
of this report.
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