'Persian Gulf Gazetteer, Historical and Political Materials, Maskat [Muscat] territory, 1872-1903' [‎86] (88/138)

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1892.
Sultan imposed on Sowalim a fine equal to one-third indemnity. Boatg of
Indians prevented from obtaining ciews by Howasinah (15-4). ' Matter of
boats arranged by mission from Sultan. Sultan bad taken $ 5,370 from
Howasinah (24-4). Unless fine unjustly collected from Sowalim was return
ed no permanent settlement would be possible (11-0).
1893.
Khabura account settled (13-5).
1895.
Government of India approved proposal that indemnity for recent rebellion
should be exacted from offending tribes in form of tax levied on their export
trade. Sultan to be authorised to notify that demand made at instance of
British Government, but to understand that his own responsibility was in no
way lessened. Tax to be such as to produce amount required in 2 or at most 3
years (29-5). Sultan practically accepted proposal without condition.
.British subjects to be compensated ; thereafter Maskat subjects might be
compensated also, but tax to be repealed when compensation completed.
American subject (Zwemer) and French subject (Algerian) to be treated as
British subjects. Government could not agree to support Sultan if attacked on
account of tax (30-8). Additional tax on dry and pressed dates, 10 per cent,
calculated to produce $ 28.025 per,annum, or allowing for accidents, etc., $ 20,000
(1-8). Committee considered 224 claims of British and British-protected
subjects amounting to $ 206,040 and Rs. 66,919, and found many fraudulent and
exaggerated, Finally accepted $ 77,895 at Es. 183=§ 100 (25-11).
1896.
Sultan obstinately clung to view that British subjects should have no
precedence over Maskat subjects, and spoke of sum collected as " common to
four Governments" (9-1). Sultan to be told $ 77,894 must be paid
quarterly by instalments within 3 years, minus rateable deduction for 1
American and 1 French claim, otherwise steps would be taken to recover
from Zanzibar subsidy (27-3). Owing to collusion of Ghafiris, abuse of
exemption of Hijriyin, absence of effective control at Sur and Sultan's
own partiality in collection at Maskat, collections from indemnity tax
only $ 9,054 from imposition of tax on 1st August 1895 to 14th March 1896,
including $ 650 from Sur. Sultan believed to have spent proceeds as received.
Sultan would impose extra 5 per cent, on Ghafiris aiso for connivance
and on account of looting done by friendlies making Ghafiri taxes 10 per cent,
and Hinawi 15 per cent, altogether (1-4). Government thought unnecessary
to interfere with Sultan's discretion in taxing Ghafiris (22-5). Money col
lected to be demanded from Sultan and he to be informed in unmistakeable
terms that, failing payment of sum already collected, and the quarterly pay
ment in future of the receipts from the special taxation, the amounts due
would, without further notice, be recovered from the Zanzibar subsidy : also if
at end of 3 years claims remained unliquidated balance would be recovered from
subsidy in such manner as Government of India might decide (22—6). § 11,526
received from Sultan (22-7). Sultan withdrew tax on Ghafiris, not imposed
till July, at advice of Agent on report of combination to resist (22-7). Award
of compensation committee accepted as final by Government of India : appeal of
Messrs. Lodhawala, Parsee merchants, rejected (18-9). Secretary of State
informed Government of India that as French actively interesting selves in
Maskat affairs, in such circumstances effect of levying unpopular tax on
friendly subjects, as well as rebels (injurious to trade and with object of paying
indemnity assessed on doubtful evidence) deserved careful consideration of
Government of India. Extreme measure of deductions from subsidy should
be avoided if possible (11 -9). Sultan sent $ 3,94^ for 1st quarter 1,313
(18-10).