Page 304 - PERSIAN 9 1941_1947

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Cereals and toxtilos were the main imports. Over 60%
of the exports was indigenous i.e. v/ct and dry dates, salted
fish, sardines and fish manure. The remaining 40% was transit
trade.
(ii) Tho exchango rate of the Maria Theresa dollar, the
local currency, appreciated steadily during the year, from
200 to 260 rupees to 100 dollars. In pre-war days the M.T.
dollar and the rupee wore approximately at par. Tho reasons
for tho present variation are (a) the increased value of tho
silver content of the dollar vis a vis that of the rupee
(b) scarcity due partly to hoarding but mainly to (i) increased
demand from the interior consequent on the high export price
of dates (ii) restrictions on dollar export from Aden and
(iii) demand for dollars along the South Arabian Air Route.
It is of interest to note that the somewhat debased
dollar minted for the use of the Allied Forces in East Africa
has no currency locally. His Highness the Sultan can spot one
almost at a glance I
V. THE SOUTH ARABIAN AIR ROUTE.
Tho three aerodromes in the Muscat State viz. at
Salalah, Ras al Hadd and Masirah, were in operation through­
out the year. Masirah expanded rapidly and is now the largest.

VI. FRENCH INTERESTS.
The French Consulate remained closed throughout the year.
VII. IfISSIONARY WORK.
The American Mission under the charge of Rev. and Mrs.
Dykstra continued their work throughout the year. Dr. V/.W.
Thoms remained in charge of the medical side of the work at
Matrah.
III. SLAVERY.
25 slaves applied for manumission certificates during
the year under report and 18 were granted. Of the 25 applicants
9 were domestic slaves and the remainder captured slaves.
DC. ENEMY ACTIVITY.
S.S. "Dahpu* anchored in about five fathoms In Muscat
harbour at 2 a.m. on the morning of the 28th June. At 08.45
a.m. a tremendous explosion occurred in No.3 hold of the ship
and her stern sank rapidly to the harbour bed. The ship was
anchored at 2^ cable lengths from the shore and the force of
the explosion was such that a piece of twisted iron, about two
feet long and one foot thick, was hurled over the Agency into
the tennis court behind and another large piece hit the
verandah of the Treasury Officer’s house on the sea front.
It was subsequently established that she had bean torpedood.
The total casualties were t
Missing -
believed
Dead. dead.____ Wounded.
Ship*8 crow (all Indian). 7 8 2
Muscat coolies. 17 8 2
Compounder of the
Agency Hospital. 1
25 16 4

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