'File 8/28 MUSCAT STATE AFFAIRS: SIR SAIYID SAEED BIN TAIMUR – QUESTION OF TITLE & LETTERS AFTER SULTAN'S NAME: BI-CENTINARY CELEBRATIONS & ISSUE OF STAMPS' [‎205r] (409/478)

British Consulate,
Muscat*
6th Deeeaber 1947.
sm
tty dear friend,
I sas very glad to receive your two letters by the Bail
on the 4th Deceaber and to hear that your Highness is in good health
and that all is well in Dhofar.
It is of course disappointing to us to hear that your
Highness' return to Muscat has been delayed, but I. fully appreciate
the necessity of ensuring that the arrangements for the geologists'
party are dearly understood *e and as far as possible, mutually
satisfactory. I do hope that the results of their exploration will
prove that there is an abundance of oil and other mineral wealth
waiting to be developed. I am sure that they will be most interested
to see the Mica Mine which your Highness has discoverdd. The specimens
you sent me seem very good in spite of the dlght discolouration and
since the mine is easily accessible by road from Murbat inshallah it
Spy be eagy to develop.
Tour Highness will by this time have seen Mr. Hartley and
obtained his opinion on possibilities of sugar cane and other agricultural
developments in the province. I have also telegraphed your Highnecs
about one Cdonel Dowson a possible candidate for the post of Foreign
Minister, but not have yet received your Highness* reply which will
doubtless arrive soon. I have some personal experience of Colonel
Dowson who was Political Adviser to the British Forces in South Iraq
at the time when I was Consul in Khorramshar. Our work overlapped to
some extent and I was therefore able to form some opinion of his
abilities. There is no doubt as to his energy and knowledge of the
Arabs and Arabia. Politically, also I arlways thought that his advice
and reports were the soundest of any I saw from officers serving in
that area. In addition he is acknowledged to be one of the leading
experts on date culture. On the whole therefore, though he is perhaps
rather old I think he may be as good a candidate as it is possible to
find. I shall therefore await your Highness* opinion with Interest,
certainly I think it is very desirable to fill this appointment as
soon as possible.
Regarding the visit of Doctor Bertram to advise on the
fisheries, I have received your Highness' final approval to the terms
proposed for him and hope that he will be able to arrive next month.
Regarding an interpreter for him, it occurs to me that it may be a
satisfactory arrangment to attach to Doctor Bertram for his visit,
either Saiyid Tarik or Saiyid Thuwaihi wh* while providing an agreeable
companion and interpreter would also be able to obtain valuable and
first hand experience through watching his work. I am afraid I may
find it difficult to find servants for Doctor Bertram, but perhaps
your Highness would agree that I could ask Mr. Jamall to help me with
this.
I have written to Sir Rupert Hay to tell him that your
Highness' account with Lloyds Bank Limited London shows no credit
from His Ifcjesty's Government for rent etc. and have asked him to
enquire into the matter. About the appointment of a Senior Commanding
Officer and interpreter at Salalah, I have already been in touch with
the Royal Air Force about this and am now writing to them and stress
the importance Tour Highness attaches to the matter.
All in Muscat goes well and this year we have been fortunate
enough to have early and heavy rains • four times in the Batinah and
interior and three times in Muscat itself. It is very pleasant indeed
for me to have ay wife with me in Muscat and I am only sorry that owing
to the difficulty of schooling she was not able to bring also ay children,
who, I am sure would have enjoyed the fine beaches and sea bathing here.
}ty wife plans to leave again about the middle of March before the hot
weather, but I trust that your Highness will have returned and that
/ she