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(ii) Loans to Hi3 Highness the Sultan of Maskat: Steamer purchased by the Sultan
626. Wo lmvo dealt in chapters VII and XIX (vi)* with tho loans given to
the Sultan of Maskat and their ropaymont up to tho yoar 1002. Since thon tho
Sultan has been given tho following loans by tho Government of India.
(1) For the purchase of a steamer.
This ns wo have scon (seo paragraph 429 ante) was suggested by tho
Secret b., July 1903. No*. 228 271. Govornmont ol’ India in or dor
April lool, Noi. 233-300. to enablo tll0 Su “an to pro!
oeod up and down tho const for tho purposo of controlling tho
customs administration and visiting scones of disturbances
quickly. Tho Sultan accepted tho proposal aud arrangements were
made for purchasing a siuglo screw stoamer of about 293 tons,
called Richard Crcch. Tho purchase and tho necessary alterations
cost altogether Rs. 1,61,956-5-2, for which an advanco wa9 made
by the Government of India, recoverable by monthly instal­
ments of Rs. 3,000 a month from tho Sultan’s subsidy of Rs.
7,200 a month (No. 1991-E., dated 29th September 1902, and
802-E. A., dated 10th March 190*1).
The steamer when altered was called Nur-el-Fahr.
2. In connection with disturbances in the neighbourhood of Jlostae
headed by Aysa-bin-Saleh, tho
Sfcret E., April 1904, No*. 2S8-300.
Sultan of Maskat informed
Major Cox on tho 23rd August that ho feared he might bo
obliged to ask for an advanco of Rs. 20,000 to he repaid by*
monthly deductions from his subsidy. The Government of
India sanctioned the advance.
In recommending the grant of the loan, Major Cox had suggested that
the opportunity might be taken to address the Sultan upon the
manner in whioh His Bighness’s finances are conducted. Colonel
Kemball was consulted on this proposal, and on tho 12th Sep­
tember reported that the only suggestions which Major Cox
could make were (i) that a British Customs official might he
deputed to Gwadur to examine certain difficulties which
had arisen in connection with the customs at that port, and (ii)
that a puncliayet from the local mercantile community should
bo appointed for the purpose of periodically auditing the
Maskat Customs accounts in the interests of the Sultan himself.
Colonel Kemball asked that the consideration of these proposals
might he postponed until he had an opportunity of meeting
Major Cox and discussing the question with him. As to the
proposed lease of the Gwadur customs, see Mekran Freds, chapter
XIII, paragraphs 286—289.
On the 4th October, Major Cox reported that, on the 29th September
the money had been paid to the Sultan, who had been induced
to agree to the deputation of a Government Customs official
to Gwadur to examine the situation, and to devise. a settlement
acceptable alike to His Highness and to the British merchants
should Government desire such a course in the event of the
Director, Persian Gulf Telegraphs, and Major Cox being unable
to arrange the matter without troubling Government.
The loan was, however, sanctioned without the conditions proposed.
It was to be without interest and repayable in monthly instal­
ments of Rs. 1,000 from the Maskat subsidy (Finance Depart­
ment memo. No. 5786-A., dated 21st September 1903).
Attention should be drawn here to tho fact that about this time there was
an offer made by Mahomed
It ii, No. 290. Abdul Wabab of Dahrein,
a friend M. Goguyer, to the Sultan, which was nearly accepted
(Major Cox’s letter to Colonel Kemball, No. 351, dated 21et July-
1903). ________________
• Paragraph* 100-111, aud 392-390.