Page 206 - PERSIAN 9 1941_1947

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rations offered by the Levies is better than that given

by the Police.
(iii) An increase of pay from Rs.20/- to Rs.22/- per mensem
(without rations) was allowed by the Sultan for police

constables. There has been a demand for a further increase.
(iv) Recruitment was carried out under the seme system
as previously, by taking volunteers from the Muscat
Infantry. It would seem that in view of the better emolu-
ments (infra) now granted to that force volunteers are,

in future unlikely to be forthcoming and men will have to
be recruited direct and trained specially for police duties.
(v) Clothing and equipment are supplied to the police

on payment from the Muscat Infantry, The delays in
obtaining supplies from India have affected the police
even more adversely than the Infantry.
VII. DEFENCE.

(i) Major L.B. Hirst, 10th Gurkhas took over from
Major A.O.C. Pettyfer as Military Adviser to the Muscat

Government on the 7th February.
(ii) Muscat Defences. The condition of the Town wall
is good. The question of ‘facing* the wall, as original]y
suggested, was discarded as being an unnecessary expense.

Frequent inspection gives no indication of deterioration.
A cement top is being put on to prevent seepage.
The surrounding towers of the town can in case of

necessity all be defended but the ,,SangarsH which have been
constructed are of. far more value as they are practically
invisible except at close range. Mirani Fort has been

completed and is in an excellent state of repair.
The aerodrome is now completely covered from four
underground and camouflaged dug-outs, with roofs of a

minimum thickness of eight feet which should be proof
against anything other than, a.direct hit. They are
specially