Page 144 - Arabian Studies (V)

134 Arabian Studies V

application from Thomas to the Council asking for a further
month’s leave without pay.10
This resulted in a show of anger by the PAM, T. C. Fowle, who
expressed his displeasure to the PRPG, Biscoe.
As there are no communications with DHOFAR except by
dhow, which take a considerable time, or by the AL SAID, each
of whose trips cost a certain amount in coal, no reply could be
sent to this ‘application*.
Mr. Thomas’s absence of course at the end of the financial
year when he should be preparing his Budget Estimate for the
next year, especially in view of the fact that a new Financial
Adviser is on his way to take over his duties, is most incon­
venient. The State of course saves Rs. 2,000.11
Biscoe’s report to his superior in Delhi was equally negative.
I have today sent you a telegram about Muscat affairs. I have
just received a most astonishing report from Fowle; apparently
the accounts have been kept in the most appalling fashion, and
the State have incurred many liabilities which have never been
disclosed previously, and the whole state of affairs seems to be
disgraceful. Thomas meanwhile, as you know, has gone off to
the Ruba-al-Khali and has not been heard of since. He will
probably turn up at Jeddah or at some place of that sort.12
Despatches to the Government of India could only report that
Thomas had disappeared, presumably into al-Rub‘ al-Khali, and
that nothing more had been heard from him. His subsequent
reappearance was signalled by a telegram from a somewhat
surprised Political Agent in Bahrayn.13 When Thomas finally
returned to Muscat, Fowle sent him an angry memorandum
containing a demand for an explanation of his behaviour, having
already explored with the PRPG ways in which to punish Thomas
for violating his contract.14 However, the matter was dropped after
it became apparent that Thomas’s transgressions were minor in
light of the problems caused by his successor.
The new FA, S. E. Hedgcock, remained in Muscat for nearly ten |
months in 1931, yet he officially held the post of Financial Advisor
only for the period 1 January to 30 June. Nevertheless, in that
period of time he managed to alienate the Commandant of the
Muscat Infantry, the PAM, the PRPG, and the Foreign Secretary
of the Government of India. Furthermore, he succeeded in turning
Sa‘Id b. Taymur’s opinion against Thomas and British advisors in
general. He also drove a wedge between the ruling family and the
British establishment. In addition, he made several charges of

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