Page 308 - PERSIAN 8 1931_1940_Neat

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The chain of landing grounds beHvcen Aden and Basrah has now boon com
plelcd and in Muscat territory comprises landing grounds at Shinas -SolnW:
Bmt-ef-h alnt (Muscat), Rns-cl-lladd, Masirah Island, Kher Cl hnr urn’­
ll urbat and Balalah (Dliofar). *
Refuelling points for Flying Boats of the Royal Air Force exist at Muscat
Khor Jarama, Masirah Island, Murbat and Snlalnh.
7. Aviation General.—As already stated, an agreement has been concluded
between His Majesty’s Government and the Sultanate to regularise the condi­
tions for Civil Aviation in Muscat limits.
The Civil Aerodrome at Gwadur; which has been in regular use throughout!
the year, has been greatly improved by the addition of .an emergency Rest
Camp, built by Imperial Airways with the sanction of Ilis Highness the Sultan.-
Notable passengers, who have alighted at this Aerodrome during the year,
include their Excellencies the Viceroy and Lady Willingdon, and the Hon’bie the.
Agent to the Governor General in Baluchistan.
The aerodrome continued to be used by Royal Air Force units engaged on
long distance flights from ’Iraq and Quetta. A number of private aircraft also
landed here in the course of the year but, with one' exception, which fortunately
was not attended by fatal results, no accidents occured.
The emergency landing ground at Shinas, constructed for imperial Airways,-
lias not been called into use, though Royal Air Force machines have landed
there in the course of routine patrols.
8. Foreign Interests.—American interests remained in the hands of the
Political Agent during the year.
On 18th March the Minister of the United States of America at Baghdad,-
His Excellency Mr. Paul Knabenshuc, accredited as Minister Plenipotentiary and
Envoy on special missioh, paid a short visit to Muscat to convey the felicitations
of the President of the United States to His Highness the Sultan on the occa­
sion of the Centenary of the conclusion of a Treaty of Friendship and Commerce
between’ the1 U. S. A1, and Muscat.
At the special invitation of His Highness, the Political Agent and the
Agency Medical Officer attended all the State functions in connection with the
visit.
The' French Consulate remained closed throughout the year but Monsieur.
Georges Casin, French Vice-Consul at Bushire landed for an hour from the mail
steamer on the 19th< June to deliver an' important despatch, so it is alleged, to
His-Highcss the Sultan;-
9. Missionary Endeavours.—The work of the American Mission (The Dutch
reformed Church' of the U. S. A.) was carried on by the Revd. Mr. and Mrs.
Dvkstra and Doctor and Mrs. Harrison, whilst Dr. (Miss) Iiosman conducted'
the. Zenana Mission Hospital in Muscat for some months, before preceding to
the Batinah Coast for mission-cum-medieal purposes.
Occasion was taken’of the American' Minister’s visit to Muscat to “ officially
open ” the new Mission Hospital at Matrah', which had however been in use
since October 1933.
The popularity of’this hospital, which is most evident, has been further en-
fianced by the introduction of a small infant'school, conducted under the guidance
of Dr; and Mrs. Harrison,-aided by a native teacher. By the construction of a
tennis court in their private grounds, the Doctor and his able wife are endeavour­
ing to inculcate the rudiments of- healthy, open air exercise into the minds of
of the younger inhabitants of the Matrah bazaar.
During the summer months this and the Zenana Hospital at Muscat are
closed as the entire Mission staff leave Muscat territory for cooler climes, the
heat in their opinion being too intolerable.
10. Slavery.—31 Slaves, comprising 21 males and 10 females, took refuge
in the Agency during the year and were manumitted in due course.
11. Climate.—The total rainfall during the year amounted to 3.7 in', whilst
the maximum and minimum temperatures registered were 114.0’° in Juno and
49.9 in January.