'File 35/64 Mineral deposits in Dhofar' [‎12v] (28/126)

" TK«,
Arabia Felix by Bertram Thomas (1932), and then remember that I was accom
panied by nearly a dozen Sheiks from different parts of Dhufar, largely from the
hills and beyond, and that these men were each trying to do more for me than the
other, always anxious to help and so to please the Sultan. It was a very enjoyable
tour, and I am very grateful to all the tribesmen who so willingly and cheerfully
assisted me. I have mentioned their names in paragraph 33 of the Report, but while
all were attentive I should say that I am grateful to Sheik Sail bin Garwah for the
extra trouble he took at Hanun, and that I shall always feel grateful to Sheik Hamad
bin Salim Almarhoon for many kindnesses, the manner in which he organized the
tour and attended to all details, from selecting camping places to collecting samples.
There are so many to mention—Secretary Mohammad Amin Salim for assisting in
many ways at Salalah; the ^Tovernor of Murbat, Sheik Ali bin Salim, for his nice
attention while I was at Murbat; Khan Bahadur Ahmed Sheebaily, the Sultan's
JChief Secretary, for accompanying me to the 'oil' locality at Murbat to elucidate the
various reports by those who had seen or smelt the oil.
I have to record the kind hospitality I received from Mr. W. M, Ivlewellyn and
other officers, particularly Mr. M. Clapham, of the British Overseas Airways
Corporation, during my stay with them at their hostel at the aerodrome at Salalah
and my journeys to and from Salalah in their planes. I am also under an
obligation to many friends for special assistance in connection with the Dhufar
investigations and the preparation of the Report. Among these are Brigadier
G. F. Heaney, C.B.E., Surveyor General of India, for so kindly securing and
sending the valuable maps which I had with me. I have to thank Dr. A. K. Dey
and Mr. P. N. Mukerjee of the Geological Survey of India for so generously
checking and identifying my mineral and fossil collections. I find it difficult
to express my appreciation for the analytical work which was done for me, as
a specially urgent job, by Messrs. R, V. Briggs & Co., 3 & 4 Garstin Place,
Calcutta. I have no words good enough to say how grateful I am to the Baptist
Mission Press, 41A Lower Circular Road, Calcutta, for the speed and friendliness
with which they have printed this Report and all the care they have given
to make it clear-typed and handy. Finally, it is necessary to say that I am
deeply grateful for all the consideration shown by Ilio Llighncss. I believe
I broke every formality in my contacts with this far-seeing and great-hearted
Ruler of Muscat and Oman, but my 'offences* were entirely unconscious and
were due, of course, to the Sultan's great interest in all the work I was endeavouring
to perform. As a special example of my indebtedness and to show how much
I have appreciated all the kindness I have received personally from the Sultan, I
have asked that I may be permitted to put a Frontispiece to this Report. This is a
photograph of Hie-tiiglmsss x I trust that the Report will be of immediate value
and will focus attention on the potentialities of Dhufar, not only as to its mineral
resources, but to the other aspects of development which I have touched upon.
5 Loudon Court,
Moira Street,
Calcutta.
' I - .
Cyril S. Fox.
/yth March, igtf.
iv