Page 631 - PERSIAN 8 1912_1920_Neat

49
FOB THE TEAR 1018.
Sultan's law court are tried by tbe following
Cases in tlio Barzab or
brothers of His Highness :—
Saiyid Hamad bin Faisal,
Saiyid Hamad bin Faisal,
Saivid 8alim bin Faisal,
ond occasionally by Saiyid Nadir wffo, however, like Hie Highness usually
♦akrs cases in his own house.
His Highness left for Dhofar in his Yacht the “ Nur-el-Bahr on the
nth March returning to Muscat on the 10th April. His brother Saiyid
acted for him as usual during his absence.
His Highness’ Yacht tbe “ Nur-el-Bohr ” was used a few times for
,,
rjurposes of cargo and made runs between Bombay and Bandar Abbas or
Lingah thereby earning money for His Highness who, however, has not continued
that, useful employment as ho considers it is below hfe dignity to use his Yacht
for the purpose.* As he rarely uses it for any other it is a mistake on his part
not to turn her into a commercial vessel and give up the name of Yacht.
As stated in last year’s Administration Report in May 1917, the Political
Agent submitted a report embodying a scheme for the better Government of
Oman and for the provision of a force for the Sultan.
The question was again taken up in July 1918 and, after a conference in
fimla with Sir Percy Cox, the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf and Sir
Hamilton Grant, Foreign Secretary, proposals were submitted by the Political
Asent by which in return for a loan of 5-J- lakhs the Sultan should agree to
make improvements in bis administration by instituting a proper Customs
service under the control of an official selected by His Majesty’s Government,
by the'provision of proper Courts of justice, by the founding of schools on
modern lines and by tbe formation of a lerj' corps under the training of Nalive
officers lent from India, and under tbe supervision of a British officer.
These proposals were sanctioned by the Secretary of State, in December
1918, and were agreed to by the Sultan after the close of the year.
The Acting Political Resident in Baghdad theQ intervened and the matter
is at present under further consideration at Baghdad, ond by the Government
of India while a suitable person to undertake the duties of Director of Customs
is being obtained.
The necessities of education have also been discussed and His Highness
bas agreed to open a school on modern lines. It is as yet early to speak of
roads neither the administration nor the financial condition of Oman being on
present lines equal to such a strain.
After the close of the year also the Chiefs of Oman have, after many
abortive attempts, agreed to meet the Political Agent, and it is hoped that
clear issues may be framed on which the thorny question of the Government
of Oman and our intervention in the matter may. be definitely determined.
Muhammad Raimoo remained in charge of the Customs and has - put them
on a more businesslike footing than they
Customs.
to control the Sultan, who understands no finance,* with ^he^resul^that^ffia
Highness continues to draw cheques at random and consequently his fin an
are as embarrassed as ever. The Customs returns have been ^ood
if Mr. Muhammad Raimoo had no other business and were in a iSdtiJ? b!
say A o to the Sultan he would be, comparatively speaking a <*oodP?W^J?
Wtor. He is however a rich n.an with large r
and Karachi and only remains four months of the year at Muscat Bvthe
of h» business at Gwadur he could not put hinJlf in oppositL
There bas been practically no Arms Trafllo. Individual
JESTS nothing wS could
Anns Traffic.
under the heading traffio. No pnrehas^
frere made from the Arms Warehouse.