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improvements to the State. A number of schemes were drawn up by the
Sultan in consultation with the Political Agent but owing to the prolonged
absence of the former from the Capital several of these have yet to be started.
Certain measures, however, for the improvement of the towns of Muscat
and Matrah which the Sultan requested the Political Agent to undertake on
his behalf have been proceeded with and these arc described elsewhere in
the Report.
4. Increase of import Duty.—In June the Customs duty on liquors
containing 50 per cent. Under Proof of alcohol or stronger was raised to ‘20
per cent, and the following articles were added to the 10 per cent, duty list:
Tobacco, Snuff, Cigarette Paper, Biri leaves, Cigarette cases, Oils of
all kinds—Mineral, Vegetable and Animal including all kinds of imported
Ghee and Fats, Boots and Shoes, Cement, Confectionary, Provisions and
Groceries, Glass and Glass-ware—Glass Bangles, Beads, Artificial Pearls
and Ornaments, Gold and Silver Thread (Jari), Gold and Silver-wares of
all kinds, Methylated spirits, Motor Cars, Cycles (Motor and Power) and
their parts and accessories, onions. Photographic materials, Playing Cards
and Game requisites, Sewing Machines. Furniture and Cabinetware,
Jaggery and Molasses, Earthenware and Procclain.
5. Muscat and Matrah Improvement Scheme.—At the request of the
Sultan shortly before his departure for Dhofar the Political Agent under­
took the execution of certain measures for the improvement of the towns of
Muscat and Matrah. As certain of these projects were of a technical nature
the Political Agent proceeded to Karachi in October where valuable advice
and assistance were freely given by the Chairman of the Karachi Port Trust
and the Chief Engineer to the Public Works Department of Sind. Plans
and drawings for the buildings required for slaughter houses, fish and meat
markets and incineraters were put in hand by the Drawing office of the Chief
Engineer’s Office and have been promised for the early part of 1930. The
sites for the above mentioned buildings were chosen and the ground cleared
before the end of the year and in November the preliminary work was
started on cleaning up the notorious Muscat “Pond” on a scheme suggested
by the Karachi Port Trust Authority. This “Pond” a small but foul area
of barely two acres situated near the centre of the town is at certain seasons
of the year the principal breeding ground for mosquitoes and in the opinion
of medical authorities is responsible for most of the malaria so rife in
Muscat.
6. Events in Oman.—Nothing of importance took place during the
year.
It is reported that a certain amount of discontent exists owing to what
is considered to be the excessive assessment made for purposes of taxation
on dry dates sent to Sur for export to India.
7. General. Communications.—In October Muscat was connected by
cable direct with Karachi and it is also now in direct communication with
Bushire. The local Staff of Cable and Wireless Limited has been increased
to five operators with a European Officer in Charge. Muscat has now become
a “Repeater” Station relaying traffic direct from Karachi via Bushire to
Iraq and Bahrain.
8. Muscat Infantry.—The Muscat Levy Corps remained under the
nominal direct control of the Sultan until the last week in December when
Captain A. C. Byard, British Service retired, and recently of the Sudan
Defence Force, who had been shortly before selected for the appointment,
arrived and took over command.
The discipline and general efficiency’of the Corps which had been with­
out a British Commandant for nearly three years had somewhat deteriorated.
The arrival of the new Commandant is therefore very opportune.
R. P. WATTS,
Major,
Political Agent & H. B. M.’s Consul, Muscat.