Coll 30/9 'Persian Gulf: Administration Reports 1926-1938' [‎471r] (946/1028)

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in March His Highness accompanied by Mr. B. S- Thomas, Finance
Minister, visited Sohar in the State Launch “A1 Saeed” returning to
Muscat on the 18th and leaving for Karachi on the 30th March en route to
JJehra Dun.
His Highness sailed for Europe from Bombay on board the P. & O.
S.S. “Rampura” on the 7th July. He was seen off from Bombay by the
1 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. - ' J
Mr. B. S. Ihomas, Finance Minister, who was on leave, met His High
ness at Marseilles and accompanied him throughout his stay in the British
Isles.
After undergoing an operation for appendicitis His Highness was
entertained as the guest of the British Government for one month. He
was received in audience by H. M. the King soon after his arrival in
England.
His Highness then visited France and Italy travelling incognito. He
sailed for India from Brindisi on the 27th November and was still in India
at the close of the year.
Saiyid Saeed, His Highness’s eldest son, was withdrawn from school
in July and proceeded from Basra direct to Bombay to see his father before
the latter left for England.
Saiyid Saeed returned to Muscat on the 18th July. He is now being
trained in administrative work and attends the Wuzarat office daily. He
shows some interest in administrative work.
In June His Flighness sent telegraphic orders to Muscat to keep hja
half brother, Saiyid Ali bin Faisal, in confinement until his return from
Europe. This action of the Sultan’s was fully warranted by Saiyid All’s
behaviour whilst under the influence of drink and his attempts to obtain
money from the Treasury by menacing the Treasury Officer.
On the 1 st September Saiyid Ali bin Salim bin Thuwaini, His High
ness s father-in-law, died. Three days’ Court mourning was observed and
the Sultan s flag remained half-mast- The Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. flag was also half
masted.
His Highness appointed his half brother, Saiyid Malak bin Faisal, as
Secretary to the Council of Ministers from 1 st March to replace Saiyid Ali
who was dismissed from the post.
Saiyid Nadir bin Faisal has taken no active part in the affairs of the
State. He has occasionally paid friendly visits to 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. .
Council of Ministers .—Sheikh Rashid bin Uzaiz, Official Qazi and
Minister for Religious Affairs, died on the 26th of July. Sheikh Rashid
had been an able and loyal servant of the State for very many years and he
commanded much respect. His death has been a great loss to the Council.
With the approval of the Sultan, Sheikh Isa bin Saleh of Muscat, a
clerk to the late Sheikh Rashid bin Uzaiz, was appointed official Qazi
though the vacancy on the Council has not been filled up as yet-
Saiyid Mahomed bin Ahmed, Wali of Matrah, acted as President of
the Council and Sheikh Zubair bin Ali was Minister for Justice through
out the year.
Finance. —Mr. B. S. Thomas, O. B. E., Minister of Finance, was on
leave from 6 th April to the end of the year-
Saiyid Mahomed bin Ahmed, President of the Council of Ministers,
officiated as Finance Minister in addition to his duties up to 20 th May,
when at the request of the Council, Captain A. R. Walker, I. A., Com
mandant Muscat Infantry, took over the duties in addition to his own
duties.
The State has continued to balance its budget though this has been
achieved with some considerable difficulty as the forecasts made at th*
beginning of the year were not realized. In fact revenues were slightly
less than the previous year.
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