Page 359 - PERSIAN 9 1931_1940

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15. French Navy.—The French Cruiser ‘‘Bougiaville’' with a French
Admiral on board arrived from abroad on the 11th and left for Bushire on
the 12th February 1935.
I Three local Officers, one soldier, one from the Governorate, and one
from the Customs accompanied the Quarantine Medical Officer to receive the
Admiral and accompany him ashore, when he and the Commander called
on the Governor. The Governor returned the call in tho afternoon.
16. Iranian Navy.—The following ships of the Royal Iranian Navy
called at Bandar Abbas :—
“Dabr” 23rd January, 20th March, 1st and 14th July.
“Plang” 23rd January, 20th March, and 11th December.
,,Karkas,t 9th August.
“Simorgh” 7th May, 28th October, 1st, 9th & 19th November.
“Niroo” with Oil Barge from Abadan on the 30th September.
Babr and Plang when leaving for Bombay in January captured a sailing
boat with contraband cargo between the Island of Larak and Hormuz. The
Boatmen threw the cargo over board but some of it was recovered by the
Sloop. The boat was towed to Bandar Abbas and handed over to the
Customs. A skirmish between a Naval Motor Boat and a smugglers dhow
near Bandar Abbas resulted in one smuggler being killed and two wounded.
17. Condition of roads.—The Tang-e-Zagh Pass on the Bandar Abbas-
Kerman Motor Road was reopened after it had been widened.
The Bandar Abbas-Lar Motor Road is still under construction.
18. Slave Traffic.—No slave sought asylum at this Consulate during the
year under report.
19. Trade and Commerce.—The trade of Bandar Abbas continues to
decrease. The majority of the merchants are clearing and forwarding
agents for the business houses of Yezd or Kerman. The formation of the
Monopoly Companies and the prohibition of the import of many articles,
especially piece goods, and the prohibitive duties on other goods have
brought the import and export trade almost to a standstill.
20. Political.—The town remained quiet throughout the year. Ill-feel­
ing was aroused by the Government orders to wear European hats and for
women to discard their veils. Government have been sufficiently powerful
to enforce their orders and prevent outbreaks.
21. Economic Conditions.—Owing to better rainfall during the year,
there was no shortage of drinking water for the townspeople during the
summer months.
The crops in the surrounding districts were fairly plentiful, and prices
in the bazaar were not unreasonably high.
22. Security.—Ghulam Shah, an outlaw, was granted a free pardon and
a reward of Rials 100 for giving himself up. He returned home, and tried
to induce Mirza, an accomplice, to give himself up.
The Districts of Minab and Beyaban were disturbed in February and
it was unsafe for travellers even during the day. Many dacoities were car­
ried out. A number of thefts were reported during the date harvest, when
people leave their homes to go to the date plantations. Three cases of
nighway robbery were reported. A Postal Clerk with his wife were held
up and robbed of their belongings while going to the hot springs.
The post from Lar was held up and looted in August.
23. Military.—The strength of Bandar Abbas area force is said to be
1115.
Sarhang Abdul Hussain Khan Saqafi was Officer Commanding Bandar
Abbas area throughout the year. The Sarhang proceeded on a tour of
inspection to Charbar in January.
Sargord Safar Ali Khan Nosrat, who was Officer Commanding Bandar
Abbas in 1931/32 arrived from Tehran in February and went to Manujan
via Minab as Military Governor for Bashakard.
126(C) VJtPD