Page 13 - PERSIAN GULF ADMINISTRATION REPORTS V1

BUSIIIRE RESIDENCY FOR 1873-74. 5

Khor Bazecah, plunder of a native vessel.—At Klior 33 a zee all or
Dorak Creek a small native rigged vessel under British colors was plun­
dered about the 15th October 1873. On representation being made to
the Persian Government by Her Majesty's Minister strict orders were
issued for the recovery of the amount stolen and arrest of the offenders.

Province of Bchlchan.—The portion of sea-coast between the
district of the Kaab Arabs and Bushire districts is under the jurisdiction
of the Governor of Behbchan.

The chief port of this district is Deelam. During the past year an
Ex-Governor of this port committed piratical aggressions on Persian
boats opposite the port and murdered the Nalcoda of one vessel. An
offer was made of the assistance of British vessel to repress the
offender, but the Persian Government not desiring this, and British
interests not being immediately concerned, the matter was ^left in the
hands of the Persian authorities. The culprit appears to have evaded
punishment.

Town and district of Bushire.—The district of Bushire is at present
consigned to the charge of Prince Assad-oollah Mirza, whose title is
Naceb-ool-Jyalcli, and who is responsible to the Central Government of
Persia alone. Formerly the Government of Bushire was subordinate to
* This is again the case since the the Governor-General of the Province
arrival of the Hissam-cl-Sultaneh at of Fars.* The district under the Gov-
Shiraz as Govcrnor-Gcucral. ernor of Bushire extends northwards of
the town about thirty miles and towards the south along the coast about
a hundred miles. Inland it reaches the hills.
Bushire is the principal port of southern Persia, and the commercial
commuuity, European and Natives, is more numerous and influential than
at any other of the southern ports. The bead-quarters and permanent
office of the British Political Resident are established here. An Agent
from the Persian Foreign Office resides at Bushire, and is the medium
of communication between foreign officials and the higher local Persian
authorities.
At Bushire there is a Consul for the Netherlands and a Consul for
Turkey.
The local civil suits and complaints of various sorts which are
brought to the British Residency at Bushire are numerous. When pos­
sible these are disposed of on the spot, but when that is not practicable,
and when Persian officials hold different views from the Resident,
appeal has to be made to the capital and, when necessary, the support of
Her Majesty's Minister is solicited. A case of some importance with
regard to shipping interests occurred at Bushire during the year under
review. A British steamer was found to be on fire on the roads and
had to discharge her cargo, most of which was for Busrah. The Governor
of Bushire preferred a claim first for one-third of the whole cargo as
salvage. Secondly, for customs duty on all the cargo landed temporarily
for safety and subsequently re-shipped. The case having been^ referred
to Her Majesty's Minister and the Persian Government, both claims were
eventually disallowed.