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CHAPTER VI.
Administration Report of the Politicai. Agency, Muscat, for 1932.
Part I.
Agency Officials—The following officers held charge of the Agency as
shown :—
Lt.-Oolonel T. C. Fowle, C.B.E., from 1st January to 25th July 1932.
Captuin R. G. E. Alban (officiating) from 26th July to 13th November
1932.
Major C. E. U. Bremner, M.C., from 14th November to date.
The post of Agency Surgeon, reduced to the status of an Indian Medical
Department appointment on 22nd April 1932, was held throughout the year by
Captain D. L. Mackay and that of Sub-Medical Officer by Mr. G-. B. Yemkan-
mardi.
The post of Treasury Officer, Muscat, was held by Mr. S. P. Pereira and
of British Agent, Gwadur by pensioned Subedar Sultan Khan throughout the
year.
2. Agency Hospital and Medical.—The total number of patients treated in
the hospital was 8,562 of which 8,469 were out-patients and 93 in-patients. The
figures show an increase in the number of patients by 382 on the previous year.
Malaria was the most prevalent disease. Diseases of the digestive system,
with skin and eye diseases came next in frequency.
Six hundred and ninety-six operations were performed and deserve no
special comment.
No cases of poisoning were treated and no cases were sent to India for anti-
rabic treatment.
.There were no epidemics during the year.
Sanitary conditions generally remain bad.
3. Politicfil Affairs.—The chief matters of Political interest concerning
11. M. *6 Government or British subjects will be found in Part II of this report
under the heading of “ Events of Political Interest in State limits ”.
The two outstanding affairs centred round Sur and Gwadur.
The Commercial Treaty between H. M.’s Government and the Sultanate
was renewed as usual during the year.
4. Judicial.—Although judicial matters do not fall within the scope of this
report and are dealt with separately, it is worthy of note that owing to the
presence of the large permanent British Indian trading community centred in
Muscat and Matrah and distributed throughout both the coastal area and the
interior, the Court work and protection of British (i.e., Indian) interests
occupies a large portion of. the Political Agents time.
5. Trade—Owing to the general financial depression trade conditions,
during the year under report, reached a very low ebb.
The main articles of export arc (a) dry and wet dates (b) dried fish and
(c) fish manure, while imports consist of flour, rice, sugar, coffee, cloth and
general dry goods.
A considerable shortage of rain adversely affected the date crop and there
was a marked fall in quality and quantity in both kinds of dates.
Lack of demand and the general tightness of money greatly reduced the
prices obtainable for dried fish and fish manure, and these factors in turn
re-acted most unfavourably on imports and the disposal of existing stocks.
'Whilst the majority are keeping their heads above water with difficulty, a
number of merchants are heavily in debt and others have been driven to bank­
ruptcy.
6. Royal Navy and Royal Air Force.—The services of the Royal Navy and
the Royal Air Farce are alluded to in Part II “ Political Interests in State
limits
7. Aviation, General.—Visits of H. M.’s sloops and seaplanes are given
in Appendix A attached to this report.