Page 205 - PERSIAN 9 1941_1947

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at. Salalah through Cable & Wireless Limited was discontinued
from the 29th August owing to it’s breakdown, It W88
however always possible to communicate with Salalah through

the R.A.F. or British Overseas Airways Corporation systems.
I
V. TRANSPORT. .
External. The regular British India Steam Navigation
Company steamers ceased to call at Muscat during the year
owing to the demands made on then for war purposes and !

their place v/as taken by irregular calls of ships mostly
chartered by the B.I. company from companies formerly
operating on the Chinese coast. In all 72 steamers taking

passengers and freight called during the year but^as it
drew to it*s close^ their visits became more infrequent,
and regular transport to and from Muscat and the outside
world ceased. As a result dependence on dhow transport has
increased with profitable results for their owners.

Inter ax . The number of motor taxis available in Muscat
and Hatrah became fev/er during the year as one old car after
another went unserviceable for want of spare parts, batter-

ies and tyres, Motor transport on the Batinah coast is no
longer to be obtained.
VI. POLICE.
The strength of the force remained as in the

previous year. Despite the fact that it has remained
under the control of the ineffective Inspector, Mohammad
Jawad Darwesh its discipline has remained surprisingly good,

mainly due to the Havildar seconded from the Muscat
Infantry.
(ii) Like the Muscat Infantry the Police contains many
Bilochls whose real home is in Mekran. Some of them
deserted while on leave and, though measures were taken to

prevent them doing so, got themselves enlisted in the
R.A.F, Levies being raised at Gwadur. The pay with free

rations.