Page 441 - PERSIAN 8 1912_1920_Neat

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FOR THE YEAR'1010. 17
Tho situation in Minab gave cause for anxiety during tho first half of the
r# Tho Persian Customs Agent at Kohistak -was murdered by Tahirzais and
jLveral raids were committed by Tahirzais and Bashakirdis. Retaliatory
icasures were taken by Kohandil Khan which were resented by Mir Barkat
"bo threatened to invade Minab. Pressure was brought to bear by the
Residency and the Governor of the Gulf Ports on Mir Barkat and he gave up
liis intention, but lie continued to interfere in Minab affairs till Kohandil Khan
i removed from Miuab at our instance. Since then comparative quiet has
was
prevailed.
Notwithstanding robberies on the trade routes and high freights by land
Tni<lc and sea, the trade of Bandar Abbas for
the year under report was a record one for
several years, owing no doubt to the Northern avenues of trade being partially
or totally closed.
The British India Steam Navigation Company’s Subsidiary mail steamers
ceased to run in April, hut trade continued to find its way to Bandar Abbas
by other lines, such as the Bombay and Persia Steam Navigation Company,
Persian Gulf Steam Navigation Company and a line of six Japanese steamers
chartered by a Persian named Mirza Muhammad Sbirazi in Bombay.
The greatest drawback to trade has been the exceptionally heavy demand
by the Military authorities for transport animals to convey troops and stores to
Kerman. Merchandise was delayed and the merchants, not having sufficient
store room accommodation, had no alternative hut to leave their goods in the
Customs IIousc and to pay the heavy ground rent charges. The result was
that, on more than one occasion, great congestion occurred in the Customs
House. The employment of a Government Camel Corps to convey Military
stores to the interior is a necessity, if trade is not to be unduly hampered.
The Anglo-Persian Oil Company’s staff returned to Qishm Island on
January 1916 and recommenced boring
British interest*.
which continued without cessation till the
cad of the year. Tho Camp was moved from Salakh to Has Tarkun where
a condensor had been installed and later a house was erected. After the
murder of the Residency Agent at Lingah, in April, it was thought
advisable to replace the Anglo-Persian Oil Company’s Tangistani guard by a
detachment of Native Infantry. This was effected without any untoward
incident, in June.
Assistant Surgeon H. C. Berlie, I. S. M. D., held the post of Quarantine
Medical Officer throughout the year. The
Quarantine.
Bombay and Persia Steam Navigation
Company’s steamer “Zayani” arrived in harbour on the 26th April with
one case of plague on board. The patient died on hoard and was buried at
6ca. The ship, after some slight detention, was allowed to proceed to Bushire,
the authorities at that port having been warned.
Mr. Howson visited Lingah seven times, the last occasion being in August
when he handed ovor oharge of the Lingah
Tour*.
Vice-Consulate to Mr. MunGuvin. He
also visited Qishm, Henjam and Ras Tarkun during the year.
The construction of tho Telegraph Line via, Daulatabad and Baft to
Kerman was begun on the 1st of October
Bandar Abba* Kerman Telegraph Lin*.
by Mr. Pinscnt of the Indo-European
Telegraph Department, and the first section—Bandar Abbas to Niy&m 43*07
miles—was completed on the 6th November. Further progress waa delayed
m the first instance owing to delay in distributing material and later because
of an unfavourable report by Major Rich on the Daulatabad-Baft >route for
the construction of a motor road. Orders wore, however, received by Mr.
Blackman to continue the construction and work recommenced On the 10th
December and continued without interruption till the end of the year.
Major Bich, R.E., waa deputed lo survey for a motor road to Kerman.
He arrived on the 15th November and
Bandar Albat-Kormtn Road 8ai<rej.
survoys wore begun of all the principal
route*.
D