Page 332 - PERSIAN 5 1905_1911

32 ADMINISTRATION REPORT OF THE PERSIAN‘GULF POLITICAL RESIDENCY

prosecution of work by Messrs. Lynch Brothers. At (lie same time Sheikh
Murteza, the lessor of the land to Messrs. Lynch Brothers, received an
intimidating letter from the same quarter, threatening him with confiscation
of his other property, should he interest himself in land which he, the Nizam-
us-Sultanch, personally knew to he the property of the Muin. As, owing
to the attitude of the local people instigated hy the Muin’s agents, an attempt
to continue work would probably have resulted in violence, operations were
suspended pending the arrangement of the question, and in the meantime the
Consul left for the hills. Matters remained in this position until in summer
the Legation obtained from the Muin copies of the documents on which he
proposed to base his claim. These were sent to Messrs. Lynch Brothers
at Ahwaz, with the suggestion that the matter should be settled in the local
court, as Sheikh Murteza had declared that he only wanted to be confronted
with the Muin’s claims in a tangible form.
No action had been taken before the Consul’s return to Ahwaz in
December. Owing to Sheikh Murteza’s absence, and to Messrs. Lynch
Brothers’ disinclination to face the risks incurred in running the gauntlet of
any local court, which would presumably be venal and in consequence a mere
tool in the hands of the Muin, more especially where, as in the present instance,
there appeared to be no prim a facie ease against them made out.
On these latter grounds, that the Muin’s documents fail to present any
ease, the matter has again been referred back to His Majesty’s Legation at
Tehran. It is curious to note that when returning to Shushtcr from a visit
to Nasiri in connection with this matter, the Muin’s agent, Alam, was
accidentally shot dead on board the Muin’s new steamer.
68. The “ Shushan”.—Owing to the theft from Shalaili of two
bales of piece-goods which were intended to be shipped by the
“ Shushan,” but which had not been delivered to the Captain, and
to Messrs. Lynch Brothers’ refusal to compensate the owners, a boy­
cott of the “ Shushan ” was instituted by the Shushtcr merchants.
Messrs. Lynch Brothers very rightly refused to yield pending the
success of reference to the local authorities, and after running empty
for one or two trips, the boycott broke down and the merchants made
their peace. In spite of the competition of the Muin’s steamer referred to
further on, the “ Shushan ” had a particularly prosperous year. Indeed it is
generally asserted on good authority that it has been running at a profit—the
first year in its life that it has done so. This is to be attributed largely to
better management by a careful Captain and the employment of two barges
instead of one—also perhaps partially to trade and local conditions..
G9. Messrs. Lynch Brothers had announced that they intended to increase
their staff by the appointment of a second European at Ahwaz, but the
gentleman named is known now not to be coming and no one else has come
in his place.
70. The past lias not been a prosperous year for the transport business on
the Ahwaz-Ispahan road. A large decrease on the returns is to be looked
for, and is probably chiefly attributable to general stagnancy of trade in the
interior of Persia consequent on the political disturbances and the insecurity
of tne routes which have been so marked a feature in the condition of the
country.
Various indications have occurred to show that Haji Rais is dis­
posed to exert his power unfairly to the advantage of the Muin-ut-Tujjar’s
boats and the prejudice of Messrs. Lynch’s. A particularly flagrant ease
occurred in which he seized goods which a Shushtcr merchant had shipped
by Messrs. Lynch. He had of course no lack of explanations to make, but
the real grounds of his action arc said to be beyond doubt. The action was
reported at Mohammerah and did not come within the cognisance of this
Consulate. Action in such eases is very difficult as the first, result is to bring
further trouble on the original native sufferer. Unless Haji Rais amends
some strong action would appear to be advisable in the near future.
71. The Concessions Syndicate, Limited.—Oil was eventually struck
in the first boring at Maidan Manaftun on May 26th. The supply was