Page 465 - PERSIAN 8 1912_1920_Neat

41
FOR TUB YEAR 1910.
T* f0Und that to build a motor road through that country would bo difficult
id that tho cost of construction and upkeep would be prohibitive. On hia
porting to this o(Tcct work on tho telegraph lino was stopped, as if; had, of
ourso, been intended that the road and telegraph should bo companions, and
considerable delay ensued. Tho line had not been completed up to tho top
of the Tang-i-Zindan by tho end of the year. To anticipate, it may be
mentioned that it was eventually working through to Daulatabad on 18th
February 1917.
Meanwhile, in November and December, tho material for the line was
despatched on ahead and deposited at various stages right up to Bagliiu 15
miles Lorn Kerman, but off the lino. Arrangements made for the escorting
of these caravans of material worked satisfactorily and. no reports of robbery
or loss were received.
Largo quantities of supplies of grain and fodder for tho working party
3nd its transport had also to bo arranged for over tho section between
Daulatabad and Nigar in which no local supplies wore to be obtained owing
to the ravages of locusts. The question was mooted in November when tho
purchase and delivery of the grain and fodder roquired could have been
easily and rapidly effocte1; unfortunately, however, somo six weeks* delay
ensued before sanction was received by tho Indo-European Telegraph
Department in Kerman to provide tho necessary funds. Tho weather tben
broke and snow on tho passes has made the work very difficult.
Returning to the question of the road, after finding that the Taug-i-Zindan
route was impracticable, Major Rich and his assistants examined the country
further to the cast but no satisfactory solution was found in that quarter.
Major Rich then came up to Kerman which he did not reach, however, till
the middle of January.
lie was of opinion that the route to be followed, if, as seems probable,
it is practicable, would be that via Tang-i-Zindan and Sirjan, and he
proceeded to return to Bandar Abbas by the Dch Bakri-Jiruft route with the
intention of once again travelling up to Kerman this time by the Tang-i-Zagh
route.
This question, especially as it affects ladies, was raided on several occasions
from different quarters. By the end of
Ilclurn of Britich Subject! to Kerman.
November His Majesty’s Consul, who had
previously advised against permission being granted to ladies or persons
not immediately serving the interests of Government to come to Kerman,
considered the local situation sufficiently satisfactory to justify him in joining .
the rest of the community in asking for tho embargo on ladies to be removed.
The question was put up to tho Government of India, but the Kazerun
mishap then occurred and tho proposal was vetoed. There is actually one lady
and two children in Kerman, as Mr. May, Indo-European Telegraph Depart­
ment, brought his family with him from Tehran.
On the arrival of General Sykes the Indo-European Telegraph Department
office was put in order and re-opened,
BritUb Imtitotioni.
under the superintendence of Mr. May,
who had come down from Tehran.
Tho line via Ardistan was interrupted for some time in August by
wigands in tho Ardistan-Kashan section Communication was, however,
Maintained via Sistan, thanks to the new line connecting Robat with 8istan
constructed in 1914. There were one or two petty interruptions in com­
munication with India due to climatic causes, otherwise the only difficulties
e*poriencod have been excess of work and deficiency of staff.
Mr. H. L. G. Taylor travelled up with General Sykes from Bandar Abbas
Tbt Blok of Fenu. ?nd rc°PODci tho Bank. Business has
f , been satisfactory. Tho fall m the value
01 tfac rupee has been remarked on elsewhere.
in T^°Wards tho end tlie ycar or<*ers worc received from tho Head office
n Tehran that no loans or advancos should bo made. The presence and
faucial requirements of tho South Persia Riftea have thrown on the market