Page 365 - PERSIAN 8 1931_1940_Neat

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The major cause of the increase in trade was that the supplies for the
Eastern Iranian markets were imported through Bandar Abbas for the
first time, and were forwarded by Kerman to Zahidan.
Mr. E. Teviot Kerr visited Kerman in April with a view to opening a
branch at Shahdad (Ivhabis). lie visited Shahdad but the proposal has
been dropped for the time being on account of the state of the road.
Doctor .Harrison and his party visited Kerman again during October to
resume their survey of Iranian Baluchistan and Mekran. Last year they
had been forced to abandon their survey owing to the refusal of the Military
authorities at Bam to provide them with the necessary escort.
6. Carpet trade etc.—The following is a summary of the Kerman
carpet and tribal rug Trade with the approximate values exported to
United States of America and Europe during the year. The figures for the
three preceding years are also shown. The value has been expressed in
thousands of Rials.
1935.
1932. 1933. 1931.
Pieces. Value.
Value. Value. Valuo.
Kerman carpets and Rugs . 8591 11540 11751 10322 9545
Tribal Rugs 1200 930 940 407 51
The decline in the Carpet Industry mentioned last year continued until
the rial reached its highest value in the middle of the year. Carpets were
then fetching only 60 per cent, of their normal value, many orders were
cancelled and much hardship and unemployment was caused to the weavers.
As the rial began to fall in value towards the end of the year, condi-
tions improved and a number of fresh orders were received, Prices had
risen to 20 per cent, by the end of the year and the market was brighter,
although still sub-normal.
Mr. A. C. Edwards, General Manager of the Oriental Carpet Manu­
facturers Limited in London visited Kerman during April and decided to
close the branch. This was done by the end of the year. Mr. Timoyanaki,
the late Manager is staying in Kerman as an independent carpet agent and
expects to continue exporting to the Oriental Carpet Manufacturers Ltd.,
on a commission basis.
The American firm of Karagheusian has also closed their Kerman
branch. *
Wool Carding Plant.—The Carding Plant did very little work during
the year owing to the slump in the carpet industry. In April last, the
Shareholders of the Company entered into negotiations with Monsieur
'A. E. Wetli (a Swiss, formerly Managing Director of the Persian llug and
Trading Company Limited, Kerman, which went into liquidation at the
beginning of the year) with a view to importing machinery for the manu­
facture of cotton and woollen fabrics. If he agrees to certain conditions
he may be appointed Managing Director. He is convinced that the manu­
facture of cotton and woollen piece-goods has a bright future in Kerman.
The balance sheet of the Sherkat-i-Sihami-i-Kerman, which was
published at the end of March showed a dividend of 12 per cent, for the
share-holders, but the shares were offered for sale at a considerable discount.
The Manager of the Company in one instance bought a number of shares for
50 per cent, below their face value.
7. Communications a/id Seen rity.—(a) Communica tions. —Sad r i
arrived from Tehran in the middle of February and took over charge of the
Roads Department from Muzaffari the Accountant. He remained in office
until the end of the year, when he handed over charge to his Accountant
:Ameri and left for Tehran.
The work on the Kerman-Meshed road via Rawar was not resumed
during the year, and it is not yet fit for general motor traffic.