Page 589 - PERSIAN 8 1931_1940_Neat

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The further success of this plan will in al] probability depend on the
result of the search for oil in the State. Should this be successful and a
steady source of income be assured to the Sultan, provided he continues to
feel his way cautiously, as he has hitherto done, it would not be by any
means outside the bounds of possibility that Saiyid Said will be the first
of his dynasty since its famous founder of the same name to bo the real ruler
of the whole of his Sultanate.
(/;) The 1891 Treaty of Commerce, Friendship, and Navigation between
His Majesty’s Government and the Sultan was renewed for the last time on
its due date, i.c. February lltli.
Negotiations for the New Treaty, to replace that of 1891, which had been
commenced in Muscat and India in 1937 were carried to their closing stages
in London during His Highness’ visit to England in the autumn of 1938.
The few remaining points requiring amendments and corrections were agreed
upon between His Majesty’s Government and the Sultan at the end of the
year and the Treaty in its final form was ready in December for signature
which is to be carried out early in the new year.
4. Oil Concessions.—(a) Muscat Oil.—Petroleum Concessions, Ltd., who
had obtained an oil concession in the Arabian territories of the Sultanate
and in the Province of Dhofar commenced explorations in the last quarter
of the year.
On the 18th October Mr. S. H. Longrigg, General Manager arrived in
Muscat to make arrangements for a party of geologists of his Company to
carry out a survey. He had several discussions with His Highness in which
details of the journies to be made by land and by air were discussed. Mr.
Longrigg left for Bahrain on the 5th November.
Mr. Thompson and Mr. Hotchkiss, geologists of the Company arrived
on 1st November. K. S. Hasan Mohammad Saleh of Aden, Interpreter
having arrived a week earlier.
The geological party left Muscat on 4th November by motor boat for
Khabura whence they carried out a journey into the interior visiting Yanqul,
Hafit and Baraimi and returning to Muscat on 4th December. The attitude
of the Sheikhs and tribes of the districts traversed, with minor exceptions,
was friendly and helpful.
According to unofficial information received from the Senior Geologist,
the result of the explorations of the country towards the west of the Sultanate
was disappointing as far as the districts of Yanqul, Hafit and Baraimi were
concerned but it was said that the regions between those places and the
coast were worthy of further examination.
The Geological party left for Rass al Hadd by motor dhow on the 18th De­
cember where they were met by the Company’s aeroplane which had flown
out from England a few days previously. Aerial surveys over a period of
four days were carried out over the interior. They returned on the 25th
December having abandoned their original intention of proceeding with the
reconnaissances to the south for the reason that the motor dhow hired as a
tender vessel was unsuitable for the. purpose. It was then decided to arrange
for passing Tankers to carry out the work of moving personnel and stores
from one base camp to another. On 26th December the Company’s aero­
plane arrived in Muscat and on 27th December made a two hours flight over
the interior. The same day Mr. Hotchkiss, geologist, Mr. Barnes, Mechanic,
and K. S. Hasan bin Saleh, Interpreter left for Sharjah by slow mail, and
Mr. Thompson, Senior Geologist and Mr. Eden, Photographer followed by
aeroplane the next day for the purpose of consulting the Local General
Manager in regard to future plans. It is proposed to carry out aerial surveys
in the province of Dhofar early next year.
(b) Gwadur Oil.—Two rival Companies namely Burmah Shell and
Indian Oil Concessions are negotiating with His Highness the Sultan to
obtain an oil concession in the Gwadur Enclave of the Musoat State. Nego­
tiations were still is progress at the end of the year.
5. Judicial.—Judicial matters form the subject of a separate report.
23(8) EAD