'Administration Reports 1925-1930' [‎154r] (312/418)

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CHAPTER VII.
Administration Report of the Poli
Personnel^ The posts of 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 H. B. M.'s Consul, Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent.
Singeon and. Sup©iiiiteiident cind TrGasury Officor were iiold tlirouffhoiit tliG
year by Major G. P. Murphy, LA., Lieutenant D. L. Mackay, I.M.D. and Mr. M. a !
Fernandez, respectively.
Foreign Consulates. The French Consulate remains closed but was repaired
this year at a cost of its. 700. A watchman remains in charge.
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 charge of American interests.
Ruling Family. His Highness the Sultan returned to Muscat from his
European tour on the 31st January.
His Highness's half sister Shoruqa died of consumption on 14th March.
On the 21st March His Highness the Sultan proceeded on a tour of the
Batinah Coast accompanied by the heir apparent, Saiyid Said, and Mr. B. S.
Thomas, O.B.E. He halted at each of the Wilayat headquarters and remained
11 days at Sohar. He went by car from Sohar to Abu Baqra along a road con
structed by Saiyid Hamad, the Wali of Sohar and owner of the car. Except
for the indiffierence of the Yal Saad tribe there were manifestations of loyalty
everywhere. Sheikh Hilal ibn Hamad of the Yal Saad, however, accompanied
His Highness during the tour, as well as a number of other Sheikhs one of whom
was the bearer of a friendly letter from Sheikh Isa bin Saleh al Harithi. The
first since the rebellion.
During the tour His Highness effected a treaty of peace between the
Hawasinah and Beni Omer tribes.
He also took measures towards the suppression of the slave trade by arrest
ing and imprisoning a slave dealer, Muhamad bin Abdullah Baluchi, a native of
Suq al Qubail and by declaring in open Ma jlis at Sohar that " slavery is no longer
profitable and blessed is lie that avoideth slaves ".
His Highness received an invitation to visit Baraimi from Sheikh Muhammad
bin Sultan but declined on the score of expenses.
His Highness left for Dehra Dun on 17th May and returned to Muscat on
6th November.
In December, His Highness visited Sohar, Saham and Khabba on board his
launch " A.1 Said At Khabba he interviewed Sheikh Ali bin Abdullah of the
Bani Bu Ali.
On the 26th December, the new Muscat-Matrah road was formally opened
by His Highness. The Muscat Infantry was lined up at the top of the Riyam
Pass where the procession of cars stopped and His Highness alighted and made
a speech complimenting the Muscat Infantry on their work.
His Highness has also taken a keen interest in the improvement of the town.
The late Saiyid Muhammad bin Turki's house situated on the western end of
the front of the town, which was in ruins, has been demolished and a few other
unsightly buildings have also been acquired and demolished.
Much improvement has been effected by broadening the road leading from
the Palace to the main gate.
Saiyid Nadir bin Faisal has taken no active part in State affairs throughout
the year. He has, however, been present on official occasions.
Council of Ministers. —Saiyid Muhammad bin Ahmed, Wali of Matrah, and
President of the Council of Ministers died on the 3rd of August. He was the
most influential and capable man on the Council and his death is a great loss to
the State.
His Highness appointed his eldest son, Saiyid Said, to succeed Saiyid
Muhammad as President of the Council.
Mr. B. S. Thomas, O.B.E., Finance Minister returned from leave on the
27th January and continued to hold the post till the end of the year.
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Sheikh Zubair has continued as Minister of Justice throughout the year.
His Highness has contemplated adding to the number of Ministers but so
far no further appointment has been made.