Page 773 - PERSIAN 8 1912_1920_Neat

PERSIAN GULF POLITICAL RESIDENCY, 1020. 39
Several robberies were reported in the town, but the work of the Police on
the whole has been satisfactory.
Adliych.—The work carried on satisfactorily until a dissension arose
amofigst the members of the Judicial Court which resulted in the resignation
of one member representing the Bahrein community. No official meetings
were hoid for some considerable time and the work at present i3 being carried
on by the Police Commissioner with the assistance of a couple of his officers.
Consular Escort,—No guard has yet been provided for the Consulate.
Two local Persians act as police during tho day. The night guard is
furnished by tho Sheikh’s ghulams.
Customs.—This Department worked under Monsieur Andrieux as Director
throughout the year. Several confiscations were made, the most important
being that of a Nakhoda named Toweyij reported to bo a notorious smuggler of
goods, also arms and ammunition from Koweit to Mohammerah. In this case
the Nakhoda succeeded in disposing of the majority of his goods, but remainder
were seized together with his sailing vessel. He was imprisoned by the Local
Authorities and was to be released on payment of a fine of Krs. 16,000.
The telegram from the Central Customs Administration, Teheran to the
Director of Customs, Mohammerah, informing him of the new tariff as revised
by the Anglo-Persian Commission which came into force from the 1st.
Hamal was not received with general satisfaction. There was at first a rush
on the Customs to get goods cleared and later telegrams were sent by the
leading merchants to Teheran and Bushire complaining and protesting against
some of the rates which were considered exorbitant.
A deputation of leading merchants, who were granted an audience, even
laid this as a grievance before His Imperial Majesty the Shah at Mohaminerah.
Posts and Telegraphs.—These departments, worked satisfactorily during
the year. The protest of the British firms and the few leading merchants
against the monopoly of the telephone line to Basrah which was hired solely to
the Anglo-Persian Oil Company, Limited, resulted in tho installation of a
public call telephone in the British Telegraph Office. A 0-rainutes conver­
sation cost Re. 1 and tho telephone is seldom if ever used by the public.
The Post and Telegraph offices are shortly to be worked as a combined
office.
Telegrams in vernacular, i.e., Arabic and Persian are now accepted.
Anglo-Persian Oil Company, Limited.—The Company’s operations during
the year included a great deal of extension work, still in. progress.
Work has also been carried on at Barwada, below Abadan, where the
more dangerous petroleum products are stored prior to export. This site was
secured as it is a safe distance from the main works.
Two unfortunate incidents occured during the year. In May the Indian
employees of the Company petitioned the Works Manager for an increase of
SO per cent, of wages. His Britannic Majesty’s ConsuKwas asked to interview
the men. After much controversy they were persuaded to accept 20 per cent,
and await the decision of the London Directors to whom the matter was to be
referred.
In October, however, the employees took advantage of tho arrival at
Abadan of Mr. Nichols, one of the Directors, and struck work till their
demands were accepted. The Director interviewed several of the representa­
tives of different classes at Abadan aud after hearing their grievances sanctioned
the increase asked for.
The next day the Persian employees followed the example of the Indians
and refused to leave tho Manager’s office till a similar increase was sanctioned^
•The Works Manager telephoned {for assistance to His Britannic Majesty’s
Consul, who reported the matter to the Sheikh, who sent down some of his
-gulams to turn the men away. His Britannic Majesty’s Consul also proceeded
to Abadan to interview the men. A deputation was interviewed by the
Director next day and an increase, of wages and certain allowances whicu
worked out to about a 50-per cent, increase was sanctioned.

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