Page 245 - PERSIAN 9 1931_1940

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SECTION 3.
Local Administration-.
Governor of the Gulf Ports.—IIis Excellency Mulmmmad Ali Mirza Sokni
continued as Governor throughout the year.
A ssistant Governor, Bit shire.—Abdul Slinkoor Ajnin continued as Assistant
Governor and Honorary President of the Municipality throughout the period
under review.
Customs A/Iminist ration.-^On the 13tli May, M. Le Fontaine, Provincial
Director, Southern Customs and M. Vandenrydt, Special Inspector, Southern
Customs, handed over charge of their duties to two of their subordinates and
left Bushire for Iraq en route for Europe on the termination of their services by
the Iranian Government.
On the 18th May, Muhammad Vnli Mirza Nouban arrived here and took
charge of the Customs Dqiarimcnt in which position he remained until the end
of the year.
Customs Preventive Department .—During; the year a. good deal less zeal
in carrying out their duties was shown by the members of this Department than
during the preceding 12 months.
In February a Committee of Inspectors arrived here from Tehran and
arrested 28 persons suspected of being concerned in smuggling activities. After
investigations \b were discharged and the remainder placed in the military
prison where they still were at the end of the year. At the same time a Cir-
<*ular was issued to all Local Government Departments warning officials that the
«doafh penalty would he inflicted on any of them found guilty of abetting
smugglers. These measures, however, failed to produce any effect and contra­
band traffic along the sparsely populated coast between Bushire and Lingah
steadily increased in volume. Emboldened by success a party of Tangistuuis
In June attempted in broad daylight to smuggle a quantity of sugar into
a spot within a few miles of Bnshire. They were intercepted by Road Guards
and an encourage took place during which the Tangistanis made good their
escape. The total of captures made by the Preventive Department during the
year amounted to some 800 packages of sugar, tea, piece-goods and sundries,
n dhows and 16 rifles.
Inspection of Government Departments.—In February a Commission of
Inspection consisting of 7 officials arrived here from Tehran. They posted a
printed notice in the Town fo the.effect that complaints received against any
local officials would be investigated. Many letters were sent in hut as they were
all anonymous no action was taken.
The Commission visited Tangistan where they arrested 15 persons compris­
ing smugglers, Customs officials and Road Guards, who had been reported to
have been conniving at the evasion of the law. A number were found guilty
and sentenced to various terms of imprisonment.
As a result it would appear of this Commission’s report another Commis­
sion of Inspection of 13 officials arrived on the 13th May and immediately began
raiding houses and shops and searching motor lorries for contraband goods.
Luggage of travellers arriving jit the Customs was rummaged and even mail
bags for npcountrv did not escjrpo inspection. The ruthless manner in which
those searches were carried out caused intense resentment amongst all classes
and culminated In one of the Inspectors being attJicked and beaten by a mob of
Infu dated shopkeepers.
The matfor was reported to Tehran with the result that the Commission
wore ordered to confine their jicHvities to flic normal methods of detection. The
Commission continued their work until December when the system of separate
and independent inspecting bodies was abolished by the Central Government.
Chamber of Commerce.—The only work carried out by this body during
the year was to supervise the distribution of sugar and tea quotas to local
merchants. I
Census.—A census was carried vmt in the sub-ports in January and in
"Busliirc in June where a housc-to-"honso inspection took place. "lie enquiries,
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