Page 233 - PERSIAN 5 1905_1911

AND THE MASKAT POLITICAL AGENCY FOR TITE YEAR 1907-1000. 49
Tho wharf, which M. tor Mculcn acquired in the preceding year, proved
to he something of a whito elephant. It had been leased when the river
was high, and when the water receded Haji Rais at once denied the exclusive
rights of M. ter Mculen in the forcsl oro. It was only during the past spring
that further negotiations resulted in the establishment of M. ter Meulen’s
claims in consideration for seme increase in the pecuniary torms of the lease.*
80. Persian commercial enterprises,— The Muin-ut-Tuj jar’s steamer,
the Nusrat, lias continued to ply on the lower Karun. Owing to the
abundance of cargo provided by the heavy wheat export its presence W'as
not injurious to Lynch’s steamer, tho Malamir.
Needless to say nothing has been done to look after the ship and its
engines in particular are in a very unsatisfactory condition and require
overhauling.
Just recently an Englishman has been engaged as a Captain, and it
is to be feared that his influence may tend to prolong tho life of the vessel.
81. A new steam boat for use on the upper river between Ahwaz and
Shushter has been put together at Muhammcrab. It is named tho
Mauvin and is expected up at Ahwaz shortly.
The Nusrat is not believed to be paying its way, and tho prospects of
the new boat doing so9 are nil. Tho Shushan, up to the present the only
steamer on the tiohi, has always worked at a heavy loss.
82. The goods store erected by the •Muin-ut-Tujjar at Slialaili was
brought to the ground bv heavy floods which occurred in the end of March.
Its construction was faulty.
83. The Nazim-ut-Tujjar, the Muin-ut-Tuj jar’s nephew, came to Ahwaz
in December and has remained there since. It is believed he enjoys some
notoriety for complicity in an attack on the British Residency at Bushire, and
for an attempt to make away with his uncle’s life.
Ho called on the Vice-Consul and expressed friendship, and up to the
present has given no cause for complaint.
84. Visitors.—Mr. P. L. Loraine, formerly Secretary to the Embassy at
Constantinople, passed through Ahwaz on his way to take up the appointment of
3rd Secretaiy to the Legation at Tehran, lie had travelled from Constantinople
by way of Baghdad and was accompanied by Mr. Jay, a Secretary to the
American Embassy to the I'ortc.
They left Ahwaz on 24th April proceeding by way of the Bakhtiari
country and Ispahan.
85. In November an individual describing himself as Sardar Amir
Muhammad Khau, Afghan, follower of ex-Amir Ayub Khan, made his
appearance at Ahwaz and wanted his way made smooth through the Bakhtiari
country.
As he was unprovided with kit necessary, and as the country was in a
somewhat disturbed condition, successful endeavours were made to discourage
him. He appeared to bo on a begging mission to Tehran, and when he
learned that tho conditions were not favourable for successful mendicancy, he
readily abandoned his proposed journey, and returned to India.
D. L. R. LORIMER, Captain, l.An
His Britannic Majesty's Vice-Consul for Arabistan.
Ahwaz, >
Tie 25th April 1008. j