Page 45 - PERSIAN 9 1931_1940

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(c) Aviation.—Three Junkers’ aeroplanes conveying passengers arrived
during the year.
No steps have been taken to improve the aerodrome situated to the north­
west of the town.
B.—Local Government and Politics.
10. Condition of the Country.—Law and order were well maintained in the
Province throughout the year. The Military, Amnieh and Police departments
performed their duties more efficiently than in previous years and a number of
highway robbers were captured and dealt with. Police patrols in the town were
more regular and the number of burglaries reported was comparatively small.
Ali Jan, a notorious deserter and outlaw, who had been committing occasional
robberies in the neighbourhood of Jiruft since 1929, at last met his fate in the
month of August at the hands of a small party of soldiers from Jiruft.
In spite of the discontent arising from the numerous export and import diffi­
culties, the Shah’s popularity for the efficient administration of the country and the
state of security prevailing has increased.
11. Local Officials and Departments.—Governor-General.—His Highness Scyyid
Mohammed, Tadayyun, who was an amiable person to deal with, was recalled to
Tehran in March, and Dadras, the Assistant Governor-General officiated till the
middle of May.
His Excellency Mirza Reza Khan, Afshar, the present incumbent, has pleasant
manners and is very sociable. He speaks English fluently with an American
accent, having been educated in the United States. He is extremely nationalistic
and somewhat inclined to be anti-foreign. His Excellency is known to be hasty
and hot-tempered and, as President of the Conscription Committee, lost his temper
on one or two occasions and slapped recruits trying to obtain exemption.
He is very anxious to effect some progress in the Province and is working hard
to attam this end. Besides the spinning mill project, for the carrying through of
which credit is due to his endeavours, he intends to build and establish a charitable
hospital on a large scale. Another of his projects is to form a Persian Carpet
Company with the object of taking some of this trade from the hands of foreign
firms now established in Kerman.
His Excellency’s relations with the Consulate have been cordial and both he
and his family are inclined to mix in the social life of the European community.
Finance and Revenue.—A distinct improvement is noticeable in the adminis­
tration of the Finance Department, where there is less corruption, particularly
owing to a number of officials having been prosecuted during the early part of the
year.
The re-assessment of the estates not already surveyed during the preceding
two years was completed during the year 1931, with the result that the revenue of
the Province has increased. Three per cent, of the past ten years’ average income
has been fixed as Government revenue and, in many cases, where this figure wor­
ked out at less than the existing rates, the old scale has been adhered to.
The income accruing from opium, although less than in 1929, has risen appre­
ciably in view of the output having increased by about 250 per centum during the
year under review. Owing to the taxed rates having been reduced from Kraus
2-35 to Krans 0-50 per miscal, smuggling has decreased as the prices of the taxed
and contraband article are practically the same. There is now less temptation
to risk smuggling and cultivators have brought in most of their opium to the
godowns of the Finance Department. Incidentally, it is believed that the number
of opium addicts has increased in consequence of the reduction of * banderole *
rutes.
National Bank of Persia.—Herr Meyer remained in charge as Manager of the
National Bank of Persia throughout the year, assisted by a young Geiman, Mr.
Heeussler.
During the year this Bank, owing to the greater facilities afforded to local
traders, deprived the Imperial Bank of Persia of a number of their clients.
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