'Administration Reports 1925-1930' [‎86v] (177/418)

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most powerful chief in the district. The lines are not interfered with and
both chiefs are friendly towards us.
Durra Khan collects taxes in his own section of the district and makes
it over to Din Mohamed who forwards same with collection from his section
to Bampur.
Bahu District.
This district is under Mir Subhan and Mir Ahmed. It is rumoured that
all taxes in this district will be made over to Din Mohamed for transmission
to Bampur.
Subsidies are paid to Mirs Subhan and Ahmed.
General.
Good rain has fallen in Biyaban during December and all fields have been
ploughed and seeds sown. If the rain does not fail for the remainder of the
rainy season, good crops are expected. The condition of the people, flocks,
etc., is still very poor.
There seems to be some traffic in arms and slaves though reports have
not been received lately,
CHAPTER VI.
Administration Report of the Political Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. and Consulate, Muscat,
for the year 1927.
Personnel. —Major G. P. Murphy, I. A., held charge of the office of 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. and His Britannic Majesty's Consul throughout 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.
Mr. M. A. Fernandes, M.B.E., held the post of Superintendent and Trea
sury Officer till the 29th March. Khan Bahadur M. A. Soofi, Dragoman,
officiated as Superintendent and Treasury Officer from 30th March to 20th
April. Mr. M. J. Gazdar, M.B.E., held the post of Superintendent and Trea
sury Officer from 21st April till the end of the year.
Foreign Consulates. —The French Consulate remained closed throughout
the year. A watchman was in charge of the Consulate building.
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. remains in (ha ge of American interest.
Ruling Family. —HL H, the Sultan proceeded to Dhofar in H. M. S'
" Triad " on the 18th March and remained there till the end of the year.
Saiyid Saeed, His Highness' eldest son, left Muscat on the 16th January
to return to the Mayo College. He was withdrawn from there in May. After
spending the vacation with his mother in Bombay, he returned to Muscat on
Sist August and left for Baghdad on the 9th September accompanied by
Mr. B. S. Thomas, Finance Minister, and Khan Bahadur Ahmed Shubeli, His
Highness' Private Secretary, who remains with him as his tutor. He is
attending the Secondary School in Baghdad.
Saiyid Ali, His Highness' half-brother, continues to give trouble.
On the 19th June he tried to assault a Banian Merchant of Indian extraction. and broke into two shops,
taking away some clothing. A sum of Rs. 225 was also found to be missing.
The cases were compromised subsequently.
He has been dismissed from his post as Secretary to the Council.
Council of Ministers, —Saiyid Mo homed bin Ahmed, Wali of Muttra,
continued to act as President throughout the year.
Finance. —Mr. B. S. Thomas, O.B.E., was Finance Minister throughout
the year. The State has continued to balance its budget ; but its precarious
balances do not permit of any ameliorative measures. Abundant rains this
cold weather, everywhere north of Muscat, are a good omen for next year'^
budget.