Page 541 - PERSIAN 5 1905_1911

POLITICAL RESIDENCY FOR 1010. 45
there, it is stated many years ago, by express invitation of one of the Shahs of
Persia, and look on the leased area as theirs by right. They are not likely to
submit to eviction or rackrcnting by the lease holder.
In October 1910, the Political Resident in the Persian Gulf suggested to
the Shaikh the advisability of taking active steps to commence some minor
irrigation scheme in his territories so as to forestall outside enterprise, and he
was reminded o'f the practicability and lucrativeness of the Karkha Irri­
gation Scheme to which Sir W. Willcocks had given testimony at the beginning
of the year. It being clear that he could take no forward steps until he knew
what attitude he might expect the Nizam-us-Sultaneh to adopt towards the
scheme, he having certain rights, it is understood, in the Karkha lands, it was
agreed that he should take an early opportunity to sound the Nizam-us-
Sultaneh to see if he was inclined to set much store on his alleged rights in the
country in question, and whether he would be disposed to join with him
(Shaikh).
Steady progress was made by this Company in laying down pipes from
the oil wells at Masjid-i-Suleiman to
Anglo-Pcrsian Oil Company, Limited.
the refinery at Braim on Abadan Island,
and in erecting the necessary buildings and plant at the latter place.
A large staff of Europeans and Indians was brought into the country, and
though a few were .invalided, the health of the Company’s employes was gen­
erally excellent.
The relations of the Company’s Managing Agents with the Shaikh and
with other local authorities left something to be desired at times, and a mis­
taken idea of the functions and duties of Managing Agents, and an inflated
notion of their own importance was responsible for a good deal of friction be­
tween the agents and the superior local staff of the Company. Orders were
issued at the close of the year by the Directors regarding the duties of the
Managing Agents restricting their power considerably, and it is hoped that
there will be less in the future of the friction which has undoubtedly been pre­
judicial to the Company’s progress during the year.
The principal features of the Company’s work during the year were as
follows :—
Braim.—Progress made with refinery, surrounded by four miles of ex­
panded metal fencing 10 feet high. A 4 feet 6 inches railway runs round
the work.
Steel jetties are being erected.
Southern Arabistan.—Work commenced on the pipe line. Loss of 750
pipes at Kut ’Abdullah on the Karun, the river having eaten away the bank
where the pipes were stacked : Messrs. Lynch Brothers were engaged in salv­
ing these pipes at the close of the year.
The crossing of the Bahmanshir by the pipe line was delayed by the
foundering of the Kurdistan in which the gear necessary for the purpose was
sent out from England.
Ahwaz.—Extension of Moin’s tramway to the Company’s site on the
Karun above Ahwaz completed. Explosive shed erected.,
Northern A rafo’staTi.—Progress was made at various points with the pipe
line. Telephone line erected. 1
Oil launch and three barges placed on Upper Karun. Considerable
trouble experienced in Kharran lands owing to thefts by Arabs and others
which the local1 headman, Parviz Khan, was unable or unwilling to check.
Motor car shed erected at foot of hills.
The import trade exceeded all previous records, and Messrs. Lynch
Brothers’ hands were quite full. The
Commerce, British and Foreign.
. Malamir ” carried more cargo than in
any previous year, quite apart from Oil Company’s material, and the w Bul­
bul was also kept busy for the greater part of the y ear,