Page 460 - Gulf Precis (VII)_Neat

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324. With regard to the proposal to placo Gwadur under tho Agent to be
established at Karachi, Sir Robert pointed to­
il) Tho fact that Karachi was only \4 days by son from Gwudur and in dircot tele­
graphic communication with it;
(2) Tho fact that it was the head-quartern of the Persian Gulf Telegraph ;
(3) Tho nccdlcssncsB of maintaining the connection with tho Pcifiian Gulf;
(4) The inexpediency, in his opinion, of tho Dirootor oE Telegraphs paying tho telegraph
subsidies in Southern Baluchistan. Those payments should he made by tho
Political Agent. At tho same time the Diroetor should communicate freely with
tho Governor-General's Agent as to the state of tho line and as to circumstances
calling for a stoppage of the subsidy.
Ho further recommended that the Native Assistant at Gwadur should be
replaced by a Nativo Assistant to tho Governor-General's Agent. He con­
sidered it would ho a mistake to give tho Director of Telegraphs any direct
political work as the chiefs and tribes ought to look to the Agent above.
325. Other arguments in support of tho proposal aro contained in the
telegram of 6th August 1881, which Sir Robert despatched ou learning of the
temporary revival of Mr. Ffinch's political duties.
" Proposed arrangements will givc'Ffinch direct interference with Naibs of Khan and
Jam and with Sardars who are really under Colonel Reynolds. The control of tho subsidy is
talccu from me and kind of dual system of management introduced. I can under the circum­
stances no longer fairly bo hold responsible for tho Political arrangement^ of that country, but
1 feel it my duty to warn Government against a system which will inevitably lead in time to
difficulties with the Jam and the Khan. Kindly reconsider."
326. Tho Government of India however did not think that there was any
ground for apprehension as expressed in Sir Roberts’ letter, dated 6th August
and tho reply given was—
"The re-appointment of Mr. Flinch restores matters to the position in which they were up
to March last. * * * For the present no change appears necessary."
327. These arrangements have remained in force up to dato, tho Director’s
political duties are—
(a) Maintenance of the rights of the Sultan of Maskat.
(b) Settlement of disputes between British Indian subjects and Persian,
Kalat and Maskat subjects.
(c) The paymeut of telegraph subsidies,
(d) The investigation of matters of interest to the British Government,
such as the arms trade and the suppression of the slave traffic.
328. The staff originally allowed for this purpose was as follows :—
Its.
Director (Deputy) of Persian Gulf Telegraphs (allowance) 150 per mensem.
One Munslii (allowance) ... . 20 „
One Nativo Assistant at Gwadur (pay) . 40 „
Two sowars (pay Its. 20 each) . . 40 „ n
One watchman (pay) . 15 „
a
329. In 1898 one sowar was reduced, otherwise the staff sanctioned in
External B, 1608 Not. 75-80. 1887 has undergone no change.
330. In March 1905, Mr. "Wliify Smith, Director of Persian G-ulf
Telegraphs, proposed an increase of the
External A, November 190G, Not. 22-29.
tho staff, pay and allowance, on the
ground of increase of political work devolving upon him as Assistant to the
Resident in the Persian Gulf and to the Political Agents at Maskat and Khelat.
He proposed the following scalo :—
Rs.
Allowance to the Director . , , 300 per mensem.
Pay of Munshi ..... 30
Pay of Assistant to Die Munshi 25-2-35 „
Pay of Native Assistant at Gwadur . 40-2-50 „
Pay of watchman at Gwadur . . , 15 a
Allowance to clerk in charge at Charbar 50 a
fetter-writer for clerk in charge at Charbar 20 M