Page 65 - PERSIAN 4 1890_1899

RESIDENCY AND KTJ80AT POLITICAL AGENCY FOR 1891-91 9

Tho 8haikh eventually made his peace with the Government and matters
soon quieted down.
During the past year the British India Steam Navigation Company’s
mail steamers commenced calling at Mohammerah, both on the up and the down
voyages, their example being soon followed by other lines. Trade on the Karun
has shown no signs of improvement, and in July 1891 Messrs. Lynch disconti­
nued running the Bloaee Lynch, substituting for her a launch with a barge in
tow. Through cargoes have lately been shipped from Bombay, and these may
work a change for the better. The difficulties regarding accommodation at
Ahwaz for goods temporarily stored there still exist. An arrangement between
Messrs, Lynch and the Muin-ut-Tujjar, by which the latter was to build them
convenient premises at Ahwaz is under discussion; and although it will probably
be considerably altered .in detail, if ever sanctioned by the Persian Government,
some practical result will, it is hoped, bo reached before long as the outcome.
A Persian post office was opened at Mohammerah in February last, and a
British post office will be established in the Vice-Consulate as soon as that
building is complete. It.is hoped that it will bo finished in July next, but
difficulties, now surmounted, regarding the site and estimated cost hindered the
progress of the work for several months.
A line of telegraph from Mohammerah to Ahwaz, Bizful, and Shuster was
completed in August last? year, and communication has been recently estab­
lished between Ahwaz and Bushire.
An embargo was placed on the export of wheat from the Upper Karon
districts but was subsequently withdrawn, as was also the embargo which had
existed for some time on the Lower Karun.
In January I paid a visit to Ahwaz, accompanied by Captain Kemball. His
Excellency the Shahab-ul-Mulk received us with much cordiality, and discussed
in a most friendly spirit the various questions which required attention. Prom
Ahwaz we proceetkd in the Shushan with Mr. Dicey, Messrs. Lynch's agent at
Busrah, and Messrs. Holland and Gaskin, the agents of the firm at Shustar and
Ahwaz, as far up the Biz as she could be safely taken. This was her second
trip, the first barisg been made in August last. Though navigable in high
rises to within a comparatively short distance of Dizful, the river is too rapid
and tortuous to fc»e a safe or easy means of transport, and the surrounding
country too sparsely populated to supply much trade, most of which must con­
tinue to find Its by land to Band-i-kir. From Sbushter the land carriage is
shorter, and the river Shateit above Band-i-Kir easier of navigation than the
Biz, so that probably this will continue to be the main route.

ff.-FARS AND PERSIAN COAST.
It was the infcaifiaii of His Imperial Majesty the Shah to visit Pars at the
end of 1891, but owing to the prevailing scarcity which the presence of a large .
following would have harassed, the idea was abandoned when prices began
to fall.
In February of this year the government of Ears was entrusted to Hia
Royal Highness the Rukn-nl-Dowlah in place of His Royal Highness the
Motamid-ud-Dowlah, who was recalled after administering the province for
about five years. Haji Bamsam-ul-Mulk was appointed Deputy Governor.-
His Excellency the Saad-ul-Mulk was replaced as Governor of Boshire by
his brother the Nizam-us-Sultaneh, previously Governor of Arabia tan, and
proceeded to Teheran where he has since remained.
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