Page 196 - PERSIAN 8 1931_1940_Neat

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In the meantime, the evangelist’s house was searched by the detectives
without anything of a serious nature being found. One or two letters which the
evangelist had written to a British Missionary in Kerman from the districts
had already been intercepted by the Police, as the result of which the writer had
been placed under secret observation. 1
The same detective, accompanied by two Policemen, presented himself at
the door of the Mission Church on Christmas Day, while a Persian Holy Commu­
nion was being observed, and demanded entry. As the presence of un-con firmed
persons at Holy Communion is considered by the Church authorities to be con­
trary to the rules, Rev. II. E. J. Biggs, the Parson, refused to let him in. After
some altercation and an attempt by the detective to prevent some of the Per­
sian converts from attending the Communion Service the detective was per­
suaded to visit Dr. Dodson, the Senior Medical Missionary, who apparently
managed to appease him, and so he contented himself with being present at the
general Persian Service which was held in the Church shortly afterwards.
The above incidents have caused some alarm to the British Missionaries in
Kerman, who arc of opinion that serious interference on the part of the local
authorities with their evangelical work would make their further residence in the
country impossible.
The local Police, on the other hand, are said to have argued 'that any gather­
ing to which a detective could not gain admittance was illegal, according to their
standing orders, and would have to be stopped.
Later on, Dr. Dodson called upon the Chief of the Police and obtained a
verbal promise that there would be no further repetition of such interference.
How far this promise will be kept remains to be seen.
(b) Boys’ School.—Mr. F. T. B. Snow, M.A. (Cantab), remained in charge
of the Boys’ School throughout the year.
The return of Rev. R. Illiff from Shiraz in September, for school work in
Karman, acted as a great impetus to the C. M. S. education work in this place.
A high percentage of the boys, who had been prepared f9r the Government
primary Certificates, were successful in their examinations.
Games and Sports.—In spite of the small number of pupils (3S) in the
beginning of 'the year, the junior Eleven (under 165 cms. in height) won the open
competition in Kcrma, winning all their matches and not having a single goal
scored against them. The Eleven were presented with silver medals by the
Governor-General. The usual inter-house competitions were held during the
year in all games. At the close of the summer term a camp was again held and
attended by a large number of masters and boys.
In accordance with Government regulations the 5th class was closed, but
two higher classes were opened, viz., a 9th and a 10th and numbers increased
from 38 to 65.
It is the aim of the school at present to open a new higher class each year
until the 12th class is reached.
On the whole the year has been a satisfactory one in spite of the loss of the
Primary Department in 1932.
(c) Girls’ School.—The Girls’ School received a set-back during the year by
the departure of Miss J. F. Woodroffe, the Head Mistress, who left for England
early in September, in order to complete her B.A. course, without which, accord­
ing to the new regulations of the Persian Ministry of Education, she could not run
her school. Miss. J. G. Moore, Evangelist, took temporary charge grom Miss.
Woodroffe, until the arrival, in October, of Miss. J. M. Darlington, who remained
in charge for the rest of the year.
At present there are 50 girls attending the Girls’ School. There have been
a few new pupils and several applicants, who wanted to join Form six, nav
to be refused admittance, owing to Government orders.
The staff this year are pupil teachers who hope to take their English ten *
Certificate this spring and will, it is expected, be ready for the Persian L.icvei
Certificate in 1935.
The annual examinations were held last June, with very good resu ts.. Ten
girls took the Persian VI certificates and all passed. Six girls and s ‘ ^
took the Persian IX and all passed. The first and second m each ot these c.\
nations were from the C. M. S. Girls’ School.