Page 230 - Gulf Precis (VI)_Neat

204 Part III.
who had been connected with tlio Post Office from its origin. Tlio rovision
was given full ofTect to from May 1881. Tlio establishment tlion stood thus :_
Pb.
Postmaster • •• 70
Local nllownnco ... 30
Munshi 25
Postman 12
Contingent allowanco 10
Jlouac-rcnt 10
Total 157

(iv) Basrah-Baglidad Postal Service, 1867—1880.
147. In 18G7 Mr. Years, an Inspecting Officer of the Bombay Circle, was
sent to report on the postal arrangements in the Persian Gulf, whero British Indian
post offices had been in existence sinco 1SG4, and after completing his inspection
of these offices lie proceeded to Basrah by the British India Steam Navigation
Company’s ocean mail steamer aud thence to Baghdad by tlio Euphrates and
Tigris Steam Navigation Company’s river mail steamer. Mr. Vears reported
that the local Consular letter service was very unsatisfactory. The arrange­
ments then existing were something as follows :—A mail bag containing letters
for Basrah and Baghdad closed by tlio Bombay post office for the Vice-Consulate
at Basrah, besides letters dropped into the letter-box on board of the mail steamer
•at intermediate ports on her way up the Gulf, were made over to the Vice.
Consul at Basrah aud distributed by him. In like manner letters for despatch
collected at the Vico-Consulate and those received from Baghdad in a letter bag
woremado over by tho Vice-Consul to an officer of the mail steamer on her
return voyage. The service was confined to ordinary letters, and although
Indian postage stamps were available, most of the letters were unstamped,
and on the wliolo arrangements were so irregular that somo proper organization
was urgently needed.
14S. Sir Arnold Kcmball, Consul-General, Baghdad, and Political Resident,
Turkish Arabia, whom Mr. Years consulted, was anxious that post offices should
he opened experimentally at Baghdad and Basrah'and promised every support
At Basrah the Vice-Consul undertook the management of the post office on an
allowance which enabled him to keep a clerk for the purpose, and at Baghdad
Sir Arnold Kcmball arranged that tlio duties should be performed by a clerk
of the Consulate-General, aided by a munslii, both of whom should receive an
allowance from the postal revenues.
149. No political difficulties appear to have arisen or to have been anticipat­
ed, and at tlio time no Turkish postal service existed. In a letter to the Postmaster-
General of Bombay, dated 28th November 1867, Sir Arnold Kcmball wrote :—
“ I am aware of no obstacle to the proposed arrangement and you may count
on my best aid.*' lie stated further that tho trade of that region was suscep­
tible of great development and that tho proposed post office would materially aid
in giving it an impetus.
150. All preliminary matters having been arranged the post offices opened
for work on the 1st of January 18GS. Mail boxes and bags consigned to tho
English post offices at Basrah and Baghdad were landed unchallenged by the
Ottoman Custom-house at the private steps of Vice-Consulate and the British
Residency, respectively, and in a letter dated Baghdad, 25th January 1868, Sir
Arnold Kcmball notified officially to Namik Pasha, tlion Governor-General or Vali
of the Viliyat of Irak, that a steamer mail service with Bombay had been estab­
lished and'tliat pending further notice Turkish official covers between Bombay,
Basrah aud Baghdad would be carried free of postage. The departments named
'in the margin were specified as those to
1. Executive Council.
2. Accountant Unural. which the privilege of franking would bo
3. Customs Master. accorded, and it was addod that any winch
4. Military oflicinl*.
6. Tilignjili Department. the Vali might subsequently name woul
C. Governt r of liuirali. he included iu the list. Sir Arnold Kero-
7. Quaiaiitino Department.
H. Su]icmilcn<lciit of Marine. hall stipulated that official covors from tlio
privileged departments should he tranM■
with the seal of the despatching department, and that all private letters and on