Coll 30/9 'Persian Gulf: Administration Reports 1926-1938' [‎504r] (1012/1028)

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February when he was relieved by Major C. C. J. Berrett, C.S.I., C.I.E.,
who held charge till the 9th September.
Mr. G. A. Richardson, O.B.E., H.B.M.’s Consul, Bunder Abbas, was
temporarily in charge of the Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. and Consulate from 10th to 22nd Sep
tember when he was relieved by Major G. P. Murphy, I. A., who conti
nued to hold charge till the close of the year.
Captain J. N. Madan, I.M.S. (T. C.) Military Medical Officer was
Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. Surgeon, Muscat, throughout the year.
Foreign Consulates .—The French Consulate remained closed through
out the year.
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. has remained in charge of American Consular
duties throughout the year.
Ruling family. —His Highness the Sultan returned to Muscat from
Dhofar on H. M. S. “Triad” on the* 31st January. He proceeded to India
in July and returned to Muscat on the 22nd December.
In May His Highness visited Sohar accompanied by Mr. Thomas in
R. I. M. S. “Netravati” returning to Muscat on 13th June.
In July His Highness accompanied by Mr. Thomas proceeded to
Gwadur by S. S. “Bankura” and, spent a fortnight there before proceed
ing to India.
His Highness received the dignity of an Honorary Knight Commander
of the Order of the Indian Empire on His Majesty the King Emperor’s
Birthday.
Saiyid Saeed, His Highness’ son, has continued his studies at the Mayo
College, Ajmer, and has spent his College vacations in Muscat. In May
he travelled overland to Sohar and joined his father there returning to
Muscat in June. He has been well reported on by the College authorities.
His Highness, however, intends withdrawing him from the Ma}m College
in April next and proposes sending him to some Arabic school.
In December Saiyid Hamad, His Highness’ brother and Wali of Sohar,
paid a visit to the Shaikhs of the Trucial Coast A name used by Britain from the nineteenth century to 1971 to refer to the present-day United Arab Emirates. . He stated that his pur
pose was to discuss with them the question of the slave traffic. At Shargah
he was not a welcome visitor but in Dubai he was well received.
Saiyid Nadir, His Highness’ eldest half brother and President of the
Council of Ministers, took 4 months’ leave in June. He spent it in Muscat
and did not return to his post after the expiry of his leave. He is unwil
ling to resume his duties and wants an increased allowance.
Saiyid Ali bin Faisal one of His Highness’ half brothers and Secretary
to the Council of Ministers is addicted to drink. On one occasion, whilst
intoxicated, he made an attack on Saiyid Nadir who promptly had him
arrested and confined in Fort Jelali. He was released after some days on
the intervention of other family members and the Wali of Mattrah.
Council iof Ministers.—Saiyid Nadir President of the Council while
on leave was replaced by Saiyid Mahomed bin Ahmed, Wali of Mattrah,
who has continued to act in the post till the close of the year.
Finance. —Mr. B. S. Thomas, O.B.E., has continued as Finance Minis
ter throughout the year.
On the whole the finances of the State appear to be in a satisfactory
condition. The continued absence of rain in the interior is having an
adverse effect on trade and thereby increasing the difficulty of Mr. Thomas’
task to make both ends meet.
The State Motor Cruiser “A1 Saiyidiyeh” which had cost about
Rs. 60.000 was sold for Rs. 10,000 to the Anglo-Persian Oil Company and
a coal burning Steam Launch “General Ellis” was purchased for Rs. 35,000
and has been renamed “A1 Saeed”.
It is hoped that this launch will ensure a stricter control of outlying
customs posts.