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'File 379/1906 Railways: Aden; railway construction in Aden hinterland; Aden-Lahej Railway' [‎100r] (204/308)

The record is made up of 1 volume (150 folios). It was created in 20 Aug 1904-3 Apr 1922. It was written in English. The original is part of the British Library: India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. Records and Private Papers Documents collected in a private capacity. .

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Accompaniments to Government letter No. 1543, dated tlie 24th February 1906.
No. 7093, dated the 19th November 1905.
p rorn Major-General H. M. Mason, 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. , Aden;
To The Chief Secretary to Government, Political Department, Bombay.
Yonr letter to Government of India, No. 2571,
dated 22nd April 1905.
Government of India, Foreign Department,
letter No. 2609-e.b., dated 8th July 1905.
I have the honour to report in reference to your No. 4528, dated the 20th
July 1905, and marginally noted
accompaniments, that Sultan Sir Ahmed
Fadthl, K.C.S.I., has now agreed to the
proposal that a notification shall be
published inviting offers for the con
struction of a railway from Aden into the interior passing through his territory
on the conditions attached to the draft notification herewith enclose . e is
willing that these offers shall be invited by the 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. of Aden tor
recommendation to him and to Government. I have the honour to recommend
the early publication of the notification accordingly.
2. The Assistant Commanding Royal Engineer is now actually engaged
in drawing up the map asked for in paragraph 2 (2) of your letter under reply
and is at present touring within Abdali limits between Dar-Al-Amir and Nobat
Dakim for that purpose. The map will be submitted as soon after his return
to Aden as possible and meanwhile I submit at once the draft notification
embodying the conditions to which Sultan Sir Ahmed Fadthl only finally agreed
on the evening oi the 16th instant.
3 . 1 venture to hope that these conditions will meet with the approval of
Government, it has been extremely difficult to negotiate them owing to the
altogether peculiar terms of the premature agreement which the Sultan entered
into with Messrs. Cowasjee Dinshaw and Brothers, and particularly owing to
the remarkable terms of partnership therein offered to the Sultan s sons.
4 . It will be observed that the conditions considered essential by the
Government of India have been included. Others I consider desirable to meet
both local and general needs and certain of them are ot course framed to meet
the Abdali Sultan’s wishes and aspirations.
5 . As to the first two conditions, I have the honour to recommend that
some such period as that of 25 years specified should he fixed within which the
right of purchase by Government or the Abdali Sultan should not be exercised.
6 As to the 3rd condition, it is left to the companies concerned to ofler
the conditions as to rates and fares which they are willing that Government
should be granted for military purposes. I know of one company which would
probably be willing to offer a reduction ot £rd on ordinary faies.
7 The 4th and 5th conditions embody the jurisdiction arrangements
which the Abdali Sultan is at present willing to accept. I may say that more
has been secured than I at first anticipated.
8 . The 6th and 7th conditions I consider desirable and in regard to
the 8th I trust that the general principles of management on Indian fctate
railways may be considered as suitable as any other. It certain y s 6 et “®
necessary that some general principles of management should be specified at the
outset.
9 The 10th condition is a valuable concession particularly in the event
of the railway being extended, as I trust, it eventually will be, on the other
side of Abdali territory.

About this item

Content

The volume comprises telegrams, despatches, correspondence, and notes, relating to proposals for the construction of a steam railway between Aden and its hinterland from 1904.

The volume includes a divider which gives the subject number, year the subject file was opened, subject heading, and list of correspondence references contained in that volume by year. This is placed at the back of the correspondence.

The correspondence is followed by further discussion on extending into Aden a railway to be built from Dar-al-Amir to Nobat Dakim [Nawbatal-Dakim, Yemen; identified on map four miles north of Al'Anad but not corresponding to any actual place], on its further extension to D'thala [Aḑ Ḑāli‘, Yemen], on the permission and financial contribution sought from the Government of India, and on negotiations with local rulers and tribes. A projected line from Hodeida [Al Hudaydah, Yemen] to Sana'a is also briefly discussed in the volume.

The main correspondents are the Aden Residency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India. , the India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. in London, and the Government of India.

The volume also includes cuttings from Parliamentary debates on 'The Aden Hinterland', and a 'Map of the Proposed Railway from Aden to Nobat Dakim' on folio 114.

Extent and format
1 volume (150 folios)
Arrangement

The subject 379 (Railways) consists of one volume. The papers are arranged in approximate chronological order from the rear to the front of the volume.

Physical characteristics

Foliation: the foliation sequence commences at the inside front cover with 1, and terminates at the inside back cover with 152; these numbers are written in pencil, are circled, and are located in the top right corner of the recto The front of a sheet of paper or leaf, often abbreviated to 'r'. side of each folio. A large folded map is enclosed in a polyester sleeve, on folio 114.

Written in
English in Latin script
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'File 379/1906 Railways: Aden; railway construction in Aden hinterland; Aden-Lahej Railway' [‎100r] (204/308), British Library: India Office Records and Private Papers, IOR/L/PS/10/89, in Qatar Digital Library <https://www.qdl.qa/archive/81055/vdc_100026199057.0x000005> [accessed 29 March 2024]

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