Page 53 - PERSIAN 5 1905_1911

48
RE8IDENCY FOR THE YEAR 1905-1906.
24. The Concessions Syndicate Limited.—An agreement between the
Syndicate and the Bakhtiari Khans for the exploitation of oil fields in’ the
territory of the latter was reduced to writing and signed in Ootober.
Flant has been ehippod out in largo quantities from. England to Moham-
merah, and thence to Shikara near Nasiri. Since January it hao been
gradually conveyed on by carta to a point four miles to the North Eant of
Ramuz. Considerable difficulty has been experienced over the question of the
provision of guards and escorts by the JBakhtiaris, who in consideration of a
quarterly payment of Rs. 500 bound themselves to furnish all necessary protec­
tion. In the absence of the Samsaro, Shahab, and S«irum-um-Mulk, three out
of the four signatories, only the Sardar Ae’ad remained to put pressure on.
His principal efforts have been directed to securing the payment of the
whole guard money to himself, on the grounds that the others were unable to
participate either in the provision of the guards or the burden of responsibility.
Though every concession that justice would allow has been made to him, the
measures of protection provided by bis deputy the Salar have been altogether
insufficient and unsatisfactory. (Note, 18th April 1906—matters are now
improving.) How far this has been due to culpable neglect, and how far to the
embarrassments of the position in which they have lately found themselves, ia
a question which it is impossible to answer at this stage with certainty. Our
main object has so far been secured, in that work has never been brought to a
standstill. A native surveyor encountered some obstruction in his work at
8hardin, but in this case reclamations proved snccessful.
25. It is hoped to undertake boring operations at Masjid-i-Sulaimani, as
well as at Sbardin, but the first step towards this is the survey of a cart road to
the spot. This awaits the arrival of a surveyor whose services have been
promised by the Government of India.
The European staff of the Syndicate out here consists of :—
4 Britishers,
11 Canadians,
and a few Austrians.

OTHER MATTERS OP COMMERCIAL INTEREST.
26. The Kdrun Irrigation Scheme and Survey Work.—Van Roggen, the
Shah’s Dutch Engineer, left shortly atter the beginning of April 1905. He
did very little outdoor work, and hatched out a paper scheme, which Major
Morton stigmatised as absurd. It is said that he saw the Shah in Europe, and
that ho has arranged with firms in Europe for the supply of all the plant
which bis scheme requires. According to report he is now again in Tehran.
27. Major Morton continued his independent researches with the
assistance of the Vice-Consular Surveyor and another, till on into May.
After having taken over the duties of Vice-Consul in June, in August
he started up the Bakhtiari Road and returned to Nasiri in November having
surveyed the route with a view to finding an alignment which would permit
of adaptation for wheeled traffic.
Since the beginning of January 1906 he has again been mostly in camp,
taking levels over the country to the east of the Karun below Ahw&z.
28. _ The M'uin ut Tnjjdr.—-The M’uin ut Tujj&r paid a prolonged visit to
Arabistan in the cold weather, with a view to promoting his business interests.
He visited both 8hushter and Dizful. He was accompanied by a 8ooteh
Rnginoer of the name of McCormick, but be had difficulty in obtaining the full
advantage of bis advice owing to the want of a properly qualified interpreter.
Among other matters the M’uin examined the question of introducing a
tramway or automobile service between 8hushter and Bh&laili or Band i •
bridging of the Karun above Shusbter ; the irrigation of the country to
the South East of Shuahter; and the rendering navigable of the channel of
* between Shushter and Sbalaili. With these proposals the names
connected^^ ** Mukarram, and Haji Rais were variously