Page 553 - PERSIAN 4 1899_1905

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RESIDENCY AND MASKAT POLITICAL AGENCY FOR THE YEAR 1804-1906. 11
expedition started from Kcrmanshah in January for the latter purpose under
His Highness the Fnrman Farma, Governor of Khurdistan, and is still in
progress, but so far has achieved no practical result, as his force is apparently
not sufficiently strong for the accomplishment of the purpose in view.
Tho waterway between Ahwaz and Shushtor has been from time to time
most insecure owing to the inadequate arrangements made by the Persian
Government for the patrolling of the river bank, and Messrs. Lynch have in
oonsequcncc been repeatedly obliged to suspend the running of their steamer
the Shushan above Ahwaz.
On one occasion she was actually attacked by a gang of some 30 Arab
robbers, and two female passengers were killed and one wounded. Bad it not
been for the courageous attitude adopted by the Commander of the vessel, the
pirates would no doubt have got possession of her, hut as it turned out they
were baulked of their object and suffered severely themselves, one of their
number, believed to be the Chief, being shot dead.
For a short period previous to the arrival of the Azem-es-Sultaneh as
Governor, during which the policing of the river was entrusted to the Sheikh
of Mohammerah, the work was most satisfactorily carried out and a considerable,
measure of security was the result, but immediately the arrangements were
taken out of Shiekh Khazal’s hands, matters relapsed into their former insecure
state, and the running of the steamer bad to be suspended. Latterly the
arrangements have been more effective, however, and in January she began to
run again.
There w ere severe epidemics of cholera at Ahwaz, Dizful and Shush ter
during the hot weather. The disease appeared in June, and it was not until
October that it died out.
The Hutch Engineer Monsieur Tan Boggen returned to Ahwaz in
November and has been testing the rise and fall of the river and making other
investigations in connection with the scheme which he is putting before His
Majesty the Shah for the irrigation of Arabisian.
Messrs. Lynch regard the scheme with some apprehension, as they consider
it likely to impair the navigation of the Lower Karun.
Authentic news was received in February of the sudden death of the Ilkhani
of the Bakbtyaris, the Sardar-i-Muffakham, at Malimir. This is the second
Ilkhani who has died within * year. Authoritative information has not yet
been received as to who has been elected to succeed him.
Captain H. A. KL* Gough, Indian Army, was appointed to this newly vm —
opened Consulate in Kurdistan. Kormanshah.
He arrived from India in May, and travelling via 8hiraz and Tehran
reached Kerznansbab on 5th J uly.
Lieutenant T. S. B. Williams, on appointment to Kermanshah as
Consular Surgeon, arrived at his destination via Babgdad on 9th July.
Captain Gough remained on deputation at TJnnia through the greater
part of the year, on si»ec'al duty, and during his absence Mr. Rabino, of the
Imperial Bank and subsequently Lieutenant Williams held charge of the
Consulate. The latter was deputed in January to accompany the Farman
Farma and watch the operations taken by Mm against the Hirakwand Lurs
and the close of the year found him camped at Burujird with the Governor.
Mr. George Grahame held the pod: of Consul at Shiraz throughout the year. ix.-Far* and
Shiraz. The Ala-ed-Dowleh having been recalled to Tehran on 21st Peman coart-
February 1901, Fare remained without a Governor-General until the end of
June, when His Imperial Highness the Shua-es-Sultaneh arrived from the
capital on re-appointment and has remained throughout the year.
The early part of the year was a very unfortunate one for Shiraz. There
was an epidemic of measles to becin with, and this was followed in July by the
visitation of cholera dealt with in a previous paragraph of this report.

as soon as the