'File 379/1906 Railways: Aden; railway construction in Aden hinterland; Aden-Lahej Railway' [‎108r] (220/308)

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No. 7510, dated 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 10th December 1905.
From— 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. at Aden,
To—The Secretary to the Government of Bombay From c. 1668-1858, the East India Company’s administration in the city of Bombay [Mumbai] and western India. From 1858-1947, a subdivision of the British Raj. It was responsible for British relations with the Gulf and Red Sea regions. , Political Department.
7093, dated 19th November 1905, and
now have the honour to forward the
In continuation of my letter No
as promised in paragraph 2 thereof, I HIV
map prepared by the Assistant Commandins: Koyal Engineer, Aden Brigade,
showing, as requested in your letter No. 4528, dated 20th July 1905, approxi
mately the site of the terminus proposed in Aden and the route the line will
follow through the Hinterland up to Nobat-Dakim.
2. I attach copy of the Assistant Commanding Eoyal Engineer’s letter
No. 3350, dated the 2nd instant, and of the accompanying report from which
the present attitude of the Abdali Sultan will be sufficiently apparent. His
views will be further ascertained in due course after those of Government have
been received.
3. As to the extension of the line above Nobat-Hakim, I am of opinion
that this will be desirable at as early a date as possible in the direction of
Alavia by which the more important caravans of the fertile Taiz district now
proceed. In this connection I have the honour to invite reference to paragraphs
23 and 24 of Mr. Ebzmaurice’s despatch* to the Foreign Department of t ^ ie , Enrlo to
Government of India, dated Perim, 39th April 1995, and to state that the Pr0 No al 2
Political Officer at D'thala has been requested to submit a confidential report
in due course upon that actual possibility of any rectification of the border in Nog 7 301 . 345 .
the vicinity of Mavia.
4. As to the proposed terminus in Aden, I am of opinion that this should
be at Maala, and that, if possible, a public wharf should be constructed near
the Aden Coal Company’s wharf at Hedjuff, to which a double line of rail
should extend. This pier would be within the 1,20 j yards zone of the Hedjutf
Defences, but would in no way mask the fire thereof. The pier would be right
under the defences, and could not be reached by an enemy seeking for cover.
5 I pointed this out myself to General Parsons, the Inspector-General of
Artillery, on the occasion of his recent inspection of the Aden Defences, and
he expressed the opinion that it could in no way prove detrimental to the
defences of Aden.
6 . Granted that a good deal of the merchandize imported to Aden consists
of skins, coffee, and other goods, which require manipulation, I am strongly of
opinion/ in which the Principal Medical Officer of the District concurs, that
this should as far as possible.be kept out of the Crater which is already con
gested. And I would, therefore, propose that building sites should now be
freelv ^ranted for the reception of merchandize on the vacant space at present
existing between Obstruction Pier (near Maala), and the limit of the 1,200
yards zone of the Hedjuff Defences. With a view to improving the sanitation
of the Crater, lam of opinion that a good many buildings and store depdts
there should, at an early opportunity, be demolished and re-erected on the
Maala plain.
7. I would, therefore, favour no branch line of railway into the Crater,
except for passengers traffic only, between that place and Tawahi. This, I
think, might with advantage follow hereafter, but for the present^ I am in
favour of the railway line terminating near the Aden Coal Company’s ground
under the Hedjuff Defences.
8 . M y proposals would have the effect of to some extent relieving existing
congestion in the Crater, and of avoiding the increased congestion which would
be caused by railway buildings and sidings there.
9 . I would lay particular stress upon the point, that the extension of the
railway, as far as Hedjuff, would entail comparatively trifling expense as com
pared to the heavy cost of dredging a large channel to Maala, by which means
alone the existing wharf there would be made accessible to steamers. The
extra dredging which would be necessary to make a public wharf at Xledjutf
accessible to large vessels would be comparatively little.