'File 35/64 III Minerals in Oman. Madrasai geologists' researches' [‎107r] (222/276)

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1. Office notes.
2. Statement of Mr. K. Murthi.
8. Notes by Ibrahim bin Muhammad
No. 3205, dated Bushire, the 24th December 1911.
_p rom _.J. H. Bill , Esq., I.C.S., First Assistant Resident (in the absence of the
Resident),
To—The Secretary to the Government of India in the Foreign Department.
I have the honour to forward herewith, for the information of the Govern-
„ 1616 dated 17th December 1911, and »ent of India, a copy of the marginally
No. 1616, dat noted letter which I have received from
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. , Maskat, regarding
the proceedings of certain Madrasi gentlemen in the hinterland of Maskat. It
vould appear from paragraph 6 of the letter that a further communication may
be expected and I would therefore respectfully suggest that action on the pro
posal made in paragraph 4 may be deferred pending receipt of the further report
promlsed ' caTWvj
Enclosure.
No. 1616, dated the 17th December 1911.
/
From— Major S. G. Knox , C .I .E., 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 His Majesty's Consul,
Maskat,
To— Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Percy Cox, K.C.I.E., C.S.I., 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. in
the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. .
I have the honour to forwai-d herewith copies of correspondence noted in
the margin with reference to the visit of
three Madras surveyors to Maskat.
2. I would specially invite attention to
the statement of Mr. K. Murthi, the only
one of the three whom I have been able
to see since their return from the interior.
It is very difficult to treat the statement
seriously, as it is so vague and Mr. K.
Murthi knows little or nothing of the
country he traveiled over. His notes are
lost and he is unable to submit anything
more definite. He has, however, given me some samples of the metals he has
found which are being despatched, to you under separate cover.
3. Mr. K. Murthi seems to have suffered from the usual trouble which
beset the explorer in Oman. He was not allowed to dig and his escort were
chiefly interested in the prospects of discovering gold and silver. I gathered
from him that he did not think much of the prospects of the successful working
of these minerals with the exception of the corundum.
4. As His Highness has formally applied to us asking whether we wish to
take over the working of these mines, the occasion might seem a favourable one
for the de-patch of a geologist who would take Shaikh Ibrahim with him and
go over the ground followed by these Madrasi gentlemen and submit a regular
report giving sufficient detailed information to allow of a definite reply being
sent to His Highness's proposal.
5. These three Madrasi gentlemen have, I understand, under the aegis of
Ibrahim bin Muhammad bin Jumaa again gone prospecting this time to the
Batina. As soon as they return I shall endeavour to get from them a better
account of their travels and discoveries. They seem intelligent and enterprising
young men and are, I believe, capable of doing much better work than would
appear from the present chaotic state of my information about them and their
proceedings.
6.1 do not, however, think it advisable to delay any longer the issue of
tbis report, but at the same time venture to request that it may only be con
sidered an ad interim one.
Sub-enclosure 1.
Office Note.
Three Madrasi gentlemen arrived at Maskat by the B.I, S. N. Kasara on
ihe 25th September.
1725
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4. Translations of vernacular correspondence —
(a) Letter, dated 14th November 1911, from
His Highness 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. .
(J) Letter, dated 16th November 1911, No.
1486, from 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 His
Highness.
{c) Letter, dated 19th November 1911, from
His Highness to 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. .