Coll 30/9 'Persian Gulf: Administration Reports 1926-1938' [‎161v] (327/1028)

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improvements to the State. A number of schemes were drawn up by the
Sultan in consultation with 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. but owing to the prolonged
absence of the former from the Capital several of these have yet to be started.
Certain measures, however, for the improvement of th e towns of Muscat
and Matrah which the Sultan requested 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. to undertake on
his behalf have been proceeded with and these are described elsewhere in
the Report.
4 Increase of Import Duty. —In June the Customs duty on liquors
containing 50 per cent. Under Proof of alcohol or stronger was raised to 20
per cent, and the following articles were added to the 10 per cent, dutj; list:
Tobacco, Snuff, Cigarette Paper, Biri leaves. Cigarette cases. Oils of
all kinds—Mineral Vegetable and Animal including all kinds of imported
Ghee and Fats, Boots and Shoes, Cement, Confectionary Provisions and
Groceries, Glass and Glass-ware—Glass Bangles Beads, Artificial Pearls
and Ornaments, Gold and Silver Thread (Jan), Gold and Silver-wares of
all kinds, Methylated spirits, Motor Cars, Cycles (Motor and Power) and
their parts and accessories, onions, Photographic materials. Playing Cards
and Game requisities, Sewing Machines. Furniture and Cabmetware,
Jaggery and Molasses, Earthenware and Procelam.
5. Muscat and Matrah Improvement iSc/ieme.—-At the request of the
Sultan shortly before his departure for Dhofar 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. under
took the execution of certain measures for the improvement of the towns of
Muscat and Matrah. As certain of these projects were of a technical nature
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. proceeded to Karachi in October where valuable advice
and assistance were freely given by the Chairman of the Karachi Port Trust
and the Chief Engineer to the Public Works Department of Sind. Flans
and drawings for the buildings required for slaughter houses, fish and meat
markets and incineraters were put in hand by the Drawing office of the C le
Engineer’s Office and have been promised for the early part of 193b the
sites for the above mentioned buildings were chosen and the ground cleared
before the end of the year and in November the preliminary work wa*
started on cleaning up the notorious Muscat “Pond” on a
by the Karachi Port Trust Authority. This Pond a_small but foul ar a
of barely two acres situated near the centre of the town is at certain se ^
of the vear the principal breeding ground for mosquitoes and m the °PJ n1 ^
of medical authorities is responsible for most of the malaria so rite
Muscat
6. Events in Oman. —Nothing of importance took place during the
year. . . . .
It is reported that a certain amount of discontent exists
is considered to be the excessive assessment made for purposes ot taxation
on dry dates sent to Sur for export to India.
7 General. Communications. —In October Muscat was c . on * iecte '.k
cable direct with Karachi and it is also now in direct communication
Bushire. The local Staff of Cable and Wireless Limited has been mcreas^
to five operators with a European Officer in Charge. Muscat has no
a “Repeater” Station relaying traffic direct from Karachi via Busin
Iraq and Bahrain. ,
8. Muscat Infantry.—The Muscat Levy Corps remained under
nominal direct control of the Sultan until the last week m P ecembe J ^ ,
Captain A. C. Byard, British Service retired, and recently of tjl ? f
Defence Force, who had been shortly before selected for the appom
arrived and took over command. < ,
The discipline and general efficiency of the Corps which had been wi
out a British Commandant for nearly three years had somewhat detenor
The arrival of the new Commandant is therefore very opportune.
R. P. WATTS,
Major,
Pnlitiunl AfTPTit & H B. M.’s Consul, Muscat.