Page 368 - PERSIAN 9 1931_1940

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Mirza Muhsin Khan Qarib and four officials visited Kerman from
Tehran on the 22nd April to purchase all crude opium from the land-
owners for Government. The rate fixed was Rials 250 (£4/11/4) per Tabriz
Man (about 100-J ounces) with a deficit of 25 per cent, allowed for the process
of preparation. Tho price to be modified if the shortage was more. At
this rate a misqal costs Government half a rial (2 pence) only and leaves a
clean margin of three quarters of a rial (13 pence) profit between the cost
and retail prices.
The Opium crop was exceptionally good and the yield was estimated
to be about 15,000 mans (about 10 times the quantity delivered to the Mono­
poly godowns in 1934) giving a profit of about Rials 7,500,000 (£125,000) to
the Government.
No strict supervision on the part of Government was instituted and
prices were high in order to encourage growers to sell to Government and to
check smuggling.
No smugglers were caught and contraband opium was scarce, only very
small quantities being sold by the growers. Government’s action appears
to have been successful.
National Dank o/ Iran.—Herr Albert Haeussler, was relieved by Arsin
Barkhurdarian in April and the latter remained in charge for the rest of
the year. The former whose contract had expired left for Europe via
Sirjan, Shiraz and Bushire on the 1st May.
No new branches were opened in the Province during the year under
review.
Police.—Sargord (Major) Abdul Hussein Mirza Jehangiri held the
post of Provincial Commissioner of Police throughout the year.
The new Police premises were partly built during the year, but building
was abandoned in the latter part of the year for lack of funds.
There was only one outstanding case of corruption during the year.
The local gaol keeper used to release a notorious burglar at night and help
him to break into houses. The burglar was caught red handed but the gaol
keeper was acquitted. They say he bribed his superiors to let him off.
The Police spies continued to watch visitors to the Consulate, and
dealings were strictly carried out. The Rais-i-Nazmieh, personally, was
on very friendly terms with the Consulate.
Justice.—Aqayi Ashtiani, who has held the post of acting Chief Judge
of the Appeal Court, as well as departmental Chief of the Justice adminis­
tration in Kerman since June 1934, continued to remain in office throughout
the year.
The principal Judicial appointments held in Kerman at the close of the
year under review were as follows :—
Istinaf (Appeal Court).—Chief Judge—Aqayi Fazlullah Ashtiani.
Public Prosecutor—Aqayi Hussain Ali Sanai.
Dedayat (Court of First Instance)—
Chief Judge.—Aqayi Hatif Reyahi.
Public Prosecutor.—Aqayi Reza Sharif.
Sulhieh (Small Cause Court)—
Chief Judge—Aqayi Mirza Hadi Khan Sadeeqi.
Investigating Judge.—Aqayi Mirza Khalil Khan Tamaddun.
Complaints about dilatory methods were frequent, but there were no
other complaints.
Registration of Property.—Mohammad Ilassan Khan Shahpuri,
Chief of the Registration Department Kerman was transferred to Yezd in
the middle of June and was succeeded by Fateh Ali Khan Hooshmand from
Yezd. The latter remained in office for the rest of the year. The Yczd
Registration office was placed under Kcr.man temporarily as Shahpuri was
considered inefficient and his removal from Kerman was on that account.