Page 713 - PERSIAN 8 1931_1940_Neat

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355 all ranks. The Sultan asked for the assistance of a British Officer to undertake
the raising of the additional men and the organising and training of the Muscat
Infantry. Major A. 0. C. Pettyfer of the 10th Balcuh Regiment was selected
to undertake this work and he arrived at Muscat on the 5th of March. The work
lias been ably carried out and the Muscat Infantry may now be considered as a well
equipped and organised force trained in the use of their arms. The force has been
organised into a Headquarter Company comprising signalling, artillery, machine
gun and administration platoons and two Rifle Companies of three platoons each.
In addition to rifles the force is aimed with two 2-75 mountains guns, three 3-pound­
er Q. F. guns, seven machine guns and four light automatics. The force is officered
by three Viceroy Commissioned Indian Officers on deputation from the Indian
Army and one locally recruited Baluch Jamadar. The living accommodation at
Bait-al-Falaj has been much improved and there is a well equipped hospital in
charge of a qualified medical officer. A training camp was held at Bosher in
November and the Company Commanders were able to put into practice the theories
they had learnt in barracks while the Military Adviser, who was himself in camp,
was able to test the efficiency and practicability of the organisation which he had
devised for the force. All charges including pay and allowances and leave and
pension contributions of the Military Adviser and the three Viceroy Commissioned
Indian Officers on deputation as well as those of instructors on deputation from
the Indian Army are met by the State.
8. State Finances.—The Sultan retained personnel control of the State finan­
ces during the year. From figures produced by the Sultan and from careful enqui­
ries it is clear that inspite of considerable increase in the expenditure which had
not been budgetted for the State has not only succeeded in paying its way but has
been able to transfer a sum of Rs. 64,895-2-0 to the Reserve. This is largely due to the
fact that the Director of Customs underestimated his receipts by Rs. 1,08,187-1-0.
He had anticipated a falling off in imports into Muscat owing to the disturb­
ed state of world trade and expected the abnormally large imports in the last
quarter of 1939 to effect adversely imports in 1940. He budgetted for the antici­
pated decrease in revenue from these causes to be offset by the increase in the rate
of import duty on certain commodities. During the year under review trade condi­
tions in the Gulf of Oman remained much the same as in 1939 and a rise in the
value of imports combined with the absorption of the stocks of cereals on hand at
the close of that year by unexpected demands from Omani buyers resulted in the
considerable surplus. A part of this surplus has been absorbed by the increased
expenditure on State buildings and the completion of the modern and well designed
school building. The Wilayat of Sohar which was expected to produce Rs. 30,000
from Zakat was Rs. 19,125 in arrears at the close of the year. Rs. 11,000 of this
deficit is represented by dates received as Zakat which had not been marketed at
the close of the year.
During the coming year the Director of Customs anticipates that there will
be no material falling off in Customs receipts as he considers that the rise in the
prices of imports will compensate for a possible reduction in the quantities imported
and that the quantity of cereals now available in the Interior will be maintained
at its present level as a reserve for the duration of the war. When peace does come
there will probably be a serious reduction, I trust of a temporary nature, in the
Customs revenue of the State and the Sultan is being encouraged to prepare for
such an eventuality.
On the 31st December, 1940, the State’s financial position was said by the
Sultan to be as follows :■—
Rs. A. P,
Cash on hand in the Muscat Treasury .. 2,22,423 8 0
Invested in Government of India loan • * 99,905 4 0
Invested in stocks • f 36,209 5 0
Advances recoverable in 1941 7,227 0 0
Total .. 3,65,765 1 0
Cash on hand on 1-1-40 .. 3,00,869 15 0
Savings during the year .. • « «• 64,895 2 0

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