Coll 30/9 'Persian Gulf: Administration Reports 1926-1938' [‎203v] (411/1028)

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The chain of landing grounds between Aden and Basrah has now been com
pleted and in Muscat territory comprises landing grounds at Shinas, Sohar,
Bait-el-Falaj (Muscat), Ras-el-Hadd, Masirah Island, Khor (jharuin
Murbat and Salalah (Dhofar).
Refuelling points for Flying Boats of the Royal Air Force exist at Muscat,
Khor Jarama, Masirah Island, Murbat and Salalah.
7. Aviation General .—As already stated, an agreement has been concluded
between His Majesty’s Government and the Sultanate to regularise the condi
tions for Civil Aviation in Muscat limits.
The Civil Aerodrome at Gwadur, which has been in regular use throughout
the year, has been greatly improved by the addition of an emergency Rest
Camp, built by Imperial Airways with the sanction of His Highness the Sultan.
Notable passengers, who have alighted at this Aerodrome during the year
include their Excellencies the Viceroy and Lady Willingdon, and the Hon’ble the
Agent to the Governor General in Baluchistan.
The aerodrome continued to be used by Royal Air Force units engaged on
long distance flights from ’Iraq and Quetta. A number of private aircraft also
landed here in the course of the year but, with one exception, which fortunately
was not attended by fatal results, no accidents occured.
The emergency landing ground at Shinas, constructed for Imperial Airways,
has not been called into use, though Royal Air Force machines have landed
there in the course of routine patrols.
8 . Foreign Interests — Americans, 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.
On 18th March the Minister of the United States of America at Baghdad,
His Excellency Mr. Paul Knabenshue, accredited as Minister Plenipotentiary and
En\ oj on special mission, paid a short visit to Muscat to convey the felicitations
of the President of the United States to His Highness the Sultan on the occa
sion of the Centenary of the conclusion of a Treaty of Friendship and Commerce
between the U. S. A. and Muscat.
At the special invitation of His Highness, 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. and the
Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. Medical Officer attended all the State functions in connection with the
visit.
The French Consulate remained closed throughout the year but Monsieur
eorges Casin, Fiench Vice-Consul at Bushire landed for an hour from the mail
steamer on the 29th June to deliver an important despatch, so it is alleged, to
His Highess the Sultan. ^ & ’
9. Missionat^y Endeavours—The work of the American Mission (The Dutch
reformed Church of the U. S. A.) was carried on by the Revd. Mr. and Mrs.
Dvkstra and Doctor and Mrs. Harrison, whilst Dr. (Miss) Hosman conducted
18 si on Hospital in Muscat for some months, before preceding to
the batmah Coast for mission-cum-medical purposes.
nrrn was taken of the American Minister’s visit to Muscat to “ officially
siiK-e 0 c*tobei^ 1933 1SS1 ° n ^ 0 S P l1a ^ ^ a trah, which had however been in use
1 ] os P ltal ’ which is most evident, has been further en-
n r ( . ; S/at* l 1011 °t a small infant school, conducted under the guidance
h -' ‘' !i f . arr U 011 ’ ai( ^ e ^ by a native teacher. Bv the construction of a
int o Pr T te the Doctor and his able wife are endeavour-
0 U t j f e . e U^tonerits of healthy, open air exercise into the minds of
ot the \ ounger inhabitants of the Matrah bazaar,
closoApo^ths this and the Zenana Hospital at Muscat are
heat i n thptn ^ 1S . S101 ! staff tf ve Muscat territory for cooler climes, the
neat m their opinion being too intolerable.
in the A^p^pWtn ^ ?j aVes ’ com P ias ing 21 males and 10 females, took refuge
o Agencj during the year and were manumitted in due course.
the maxinmnf •m'dT 11 - 0 - total rainfa11 durin g the year amounted to 3.7 in. whilst
49.9 in Januarv d niinmin tem P e ratures registered w^ere 114.6° in June and