Coll 30/9 'Persian Gulf: Administration Reports 1926-1938' [‎273r] (550/1028)

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Imperial Airways continued to use the Gwadur landing ground throughout
the year without serious mishap, though the aerodrome is small and subject to
flooding in rainy weather.
Negotiations are in progress to regularise the passage of French and Dutch
air services over His Highness’ Gwadur territory.
With a view to establishing an emergency landing ground at Kalba the
assistance of His Highness the Sultan was sought to prevail on. the Sheikh of
this small independent tract to accord his assent and co-operation.
The results of the efforts of His Highness’ emissary were however not
crowned with success.
Negotiations for the establishment of a refuelling point and emergency
aerodrome at Masirah Island (vide Annual Administration Report for 1931,
paragraph 24) were brought to a successful conclusion in December and it now
remains to be seen to what extent these will work.
8. Foreign Interests; —American interests remained in charge of the Politi
cal Agent during the year.
The French Consulate remained closed during the year but un-official
visits were paid to Muscat by Monsieur Cassin, the French Vice-Consul at
Bushire, in March and December.
The French sloop “ Aldebaran ”, of the French Pacific Station, put into
Muscat due to stress of weather on 2nd August and left on 18th August.
The French training cruiser Jeanne d’Arc, under the Command of Captain
Marquis, visited Muscat from 19th to 21st November, in the course of a world
cruise.
9 Mrssionury Endeavour. —The work of the American Mission (The Dutch
Reformed Church of the United States of America) was carried on by Dr. (Miss)
Hosmon (till 1st April), Dr. Storm and the Rev. Dykstra and Mrs. Dykstra till
mid October when they were joined by Dr. P. W. Harrison, on his return from
leave.
In December Dr. Storm left for Dhofar by dhow A term adopted by British officials to refer to local sailing vessels in the western Indian Ocean. without the previous assent
of His Highness and had not returned till the end of the year.
The new Mission Hospital building, which is in course of construction at
Matrah, is making slow but steady progress. It promises to be on most modern
lines, as far as local conditions and finance permit.
The building material imported for its construction is practically all
British.
10 Slavery. —Twenty-four slaves took refuge in the Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. during the year
and were in due course manumitted. They comprised 20 males and 4 females.
11. Cl/imaie. —The total rainfall recorded during the year amounted to 1.93".
Maximum and minimum temperatures registered were 114.1° on 25th May and
51.3° on 19th February, respectively.
The hot weather was slightly less trying than usual.
lo Official Visits H. M. S. “ Hawkins ”, Flagship of Vice-Admiral M. E.
Dunbar-Nasmith Commanding the East Indies Squadron visited Muscat from
9th to 11th December.
A list of visits by Government officials to this Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. is attached a
Appendix “ B ”.
Part II.
Muscat State Affairs.
1 Ruling Family-—On 10th February Saiyid Said bin Taimur officially
ascended the Sultanate Gaddi vacated by his father m 193F
On the 3rd
Highness to present a “ Kharita An important letter usually sent in an elaborate textile pouch, dispatched as part of the royal or diplomatic correspondence of rulers and elites. ” from His Excellency the Viceioj .
‘ r> +1,0 Operations at Sur which are related in paragraph 3 of this
report the 8 Sultan accompanied the Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. and subsequently spent
three weeks in visiting Dhofar during the month of April.