Page 124 - PERSIAN 9 1931_1940

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The molar road to Zahidan (Duzdnp) is now very seldom used owing to <lm
rail-head having been removed to Nok-Kuudi.
(b) Security of Trade Routes.—In spite of desultory robberies on the Bandar
Abbas-Kerman motor road by Farsi robbers, the security of trade routes in the
Province has considerably improved. The Aramch Department performs its
duties more cfliciently and a number of stray robbers caught have in most eases
been executed by the Military Department. On the whole, law and order on the
trade routes in die Province has been well maintained.
(c) Posts.—New Post offices were opened at Zcrind and Rawar at the end
of the year.
The bi-weekly service between Kerman and Bandar Abbas was changed to a
weekly one in the month of September owing to the previous postal contract
having expired and diere being no offers for the new one. The authorities were,
however, obliged to sanction an increase of 200 Tumans per mensem on the
previous contract, held by a Parsi, Rustam Navandad, and renew it at a figure of
Tumans 700 per mensem.
The unsatisfactory delivery arrangements prevailing in the Kerman Post-
Office reported in the previous Administration Report have not improved. A
secret censorship is applied to all foreign mails arriving at Kerman.
(d) Wireless.—The Wireless Station in Kerman was not used during the
year, though it is supposed to be in working order. This is apparently due to the
great expense involved in its working.
(e) Aviation.—No aeroplanes visited Kerman during the year and the
aerodrome to the north-west of the town has, therefore, been neglected.
B.—Local Government and Politics.
8. Condition of the Country.—The administration of the province has con­
tinued to improve and law and order well maintained. The Amnieh authorities
succeeded in capturing a number of highway robbers-or defaulters who were dealt
with by the Military authorities. Complaints against officials of the Military and
Amnieh Departments by villagers have been negligible. The Police force appears
to be more efficient and their patrols in the town more regular. The number of
burglaries has decreased.
The Shah’s popularity for the efficient administration of the country and the
state of security has been maintained.
9. Local Officials and Departments.—Governor-Generals—His Excellency
Mirza Reza Khan, Afshar, was transferred from Kerman in February to take
up his new appointment as the Minister of Roads. Dadras, the assistant to the
Governor-General officiated till relieved in March by His Excellency Mirza Seyyicl
Mustafa Khan, Kazirai, who still holds the appointment. As regards his
antecedents, reference is invited to the Kerman Consulate Administration Report
for 1916, under heading “ Political History Kazimi then held the appointment
of the Chief of Education in Kerman.
His Excellency’s relations with the Consulate have been cordial though only
of an official nature. He is very interested in the cutting of new Khavabans
(avenues) in the Kerman Town and districts. He rendered valuable assistance
during the Hoods ot July 1932 and is on the whole popular.
Finance and Revenue.—There has been considerably less corruption in the
Finance Department and the administration has greatly improved. Amir Khan,
Sohrabian, was the Provincial Director at*the end of the year. He, like various
other heads of departments, has no relations with the Consulate.
Opium.—The taxed rate on opium remains at Rials. 0.50 per miscal and it is
believed that in future the tax will be levied on acreage. During the year under
review, the income accruing from opium was slightly larger than that of the
previous year owing to the amount of crude opium delivered at the godowns "i
the Finance Department haying been 18 per cent, more than the 1931 figures. No
smuggling from oilier provinces was reported during the year and the amount ot
contraband opium confiscated in the province was less than half of the previous
figures. The number of opium addicts has decidedly increased.
National Ranh of Persia.—Herr Meyer remained in charge as Manngor of
the National Bank of Persia throughout the year assisted by a Persian
Accountant. In the beginning of September, following Herr Vogel’a incident
the books of the. Bank were examined in Kerman by the then acting Provincial