Page 747 - PERSIAN 8 1912_1920_Neat

PERSIAN GULP POIJTICAL RESIDENCY, 1020. 13

Excise Department.
Bandar Abbas.—This Department was administered as a branch of: the
Malich until the month of July, when it was handed over to the charge of the
Karguzar. The lattor complained that there was a deficit of Tomans 490 in
the balance handed over to him and the dispute is not yet settled.
On 27th August Amad-i-Daftar arrived from Kerman to take over the
department, hut as the Karguzar refused to hand it over, he proceeded to
Bushire to get authority, and returned and assumed charge on the 17th
October.
Lingah.—The department was separated from the Malieh and put under
the control of Mirza Jaffer from the beginning of the year.
Mirza Jaffer is one of the moving spirits in the intrigue against the Deputy
Governor and is a typical democrat.
Bander Abbast Lingah, Minab.—This year a new tax of 30 per cent, has
been levied on all tobacco, whether grown for the consumption of the jiroducer
or for sale. The novelty and the extreme severity of the tax has roused the
greatest discontent and opposition. The inhabitants of Kalyan in the Minab
district deliberately ruined their crop rather than pay such a prohibitive tariff,
and the people of Gurband only paid after some noting, which necessitated
the despatch of armed men to the village by the Deputy Governor of Minab.
The duty on tobacco which is to be exported abroad is 25 per cent, and
this is collected by the Customs.
Customs.
Bander Abbas.—Monsieur Bourgeois was Director of Customs until
the 24th March, when he was relieved by Monsieur A. Eourman. Tho
relations between the latter and His Majesty’s Consulate have always been
most cordial.
Lingah.—Carinx K. Keverkian, an Armenian clerk, was in charge of
the department until the 21st March, when Monsieur L. Cailier
assumed charge. The lattor proceeded to Bushire on 10th August leaving
Mohamed Ali to act in his absence. While at Bushire Monsieur Carlier died
and Mohamed Ali has remained in charge up to the end of the year.
Relations between the Vice-Consulate and the Customs have been friendly
throughout the year.
Municipality.
Bandar Abbas.—Haji Muslim was in charge of the Department through­
out the year. The department levies a monthly house tax and a toll on all
goods entering and leaving the town by land, and the proceeds are devoted
to street cleaning, coolie hire, etc. There is a substantial balance in the banki
and a scheme for a better water supply is under consideration,
Lingah.—This department is being administered by Kalantar Mohamed
Baqir, Aminul-Riyayeh. He collects a tax of one kran per house from all
Persian subjects in addition to the Navakel taxes.
No steps have yet been taken to improve this department.

Condition op Country.
Bandar Abbas and Lingah.—These districts have been quiet and safe
during the year.
Minab.—Various disturbances have occured in this district, where the
proximity of the lawless and inaccessible inhabitants of Biyaban is a con­
stant menace to the security of the city.
In the month of Ootober Haji Kamber Dadi, Kalantar, of Kalyan, the
Eastern most district of Minab, was murdered by Faqir Kassim, ox head of
tufangchics in Minab, and Mir Yaqub, brother-in-law of Mir Barkat. For a