Page 370 - PERSIAN 8 1931_1940_Neat

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(£8334) was granted by the Government in October for improvements to the
town. With this money a share in the Zirisf Qanat (under ground water
channel) water was bought for the avenues.
Aqayi Faridooni (Omoor) the Ministerial Inspector for the Provincial
Municipalities accompanied by a German Civil Engineer visited Kerman
in October and the Governor-General explained his various schemes and
proposals in order to get their support on their return to Tehran.
The town beggars were collected and fed by the Municipality during
the winter months.
The Municipality Council in March sanctioned a tax of half a rial on
each bale of merchandise entering the town. The income from this source
was estimated to be about Rials 30,000 (£500) annually and another Rials
30.000 was sanctioned by the Ministry of Education to make up Rials
60.000 for the upkeep of Government Primary Schools in Kerman.
A new tax of Rials 2 per passenger travelling by touring cars and
Rial 1 by motor busses and lorries was imposed by the Municipality with
effect from 1st Deymah 1314 (23rd December 1935) to be utilised for the
improvement of local educational Department.
Harandi, the Ex. Russian trade agent and proprietor of the Kerman
electric plant has imported a new 400 horse power motor of M. A. N. manu­
facture. This works alternately with his older 200 horse power plant
and he is now able to supply the increased demand of the town. The
Municipality alone pays a sum of Rials 10,000 (£100) per mensem for the
illumination of the streets.
Agriculture.—The wheat and barley crop during the year under review
was on the whole better than the previous year. Rainfall was satisfactory.
The land taxation was abolished early in January. Telegrams of
thanks were sent to H. I. M. the Shah from various centres in the Pro­
vince and agriculturists were generally very pleased.
The cultivation of opium was greatly increased.
The pistachio crop was poor and prices were higher ranging from
Rials 21 24 per 64 lbs., those of previous year being 16 to 18 rials.
A Government Experimental Farm and a branch of Agricultural Bank
were established in Kerman during the latter quarter of the year.
Locusts.—No swarms of locusts were seen in the province during the
year.
Sijjil-i-Ahwal (Census Department).—Aqayi Nimatullah Mirza
Kameran (Muhtasim-ul-Mulk) remained in charge throughout the year.
He paid a visit of inspection to Jiruft and Rudbar during the month of
June. The Census offices in Iranian Baluchistan, which had been under
Kerman, were placed under Zahidan in the middle of the year.
Aqayi Kamcran proceeded to Tehran in November, handing over the
charge to Aqayi Sam.
10. Local Politics.—The Moliarram processions were curtailed this
year to an unprecedented extent. They passed oJT quietly.
Two notable Roza-khwans (religious orators) ITaji Sheikh Ahmad
Rukn-ul-Islam and Scyed Mohamad Zarchi were brought under escort
from Yezd to Kerman. They were deported for speaking against the
reforms. They were allowed Xo continue their religious work in Kerman
under Police supervision.
Orders to enforce the adoption of European hats were received by the
Governor-General and other local Government officials in June. This was
enforced in July and Pahlvi hats were pulled off wearers’ heads by the
Police and destroyed.
There was talk of starting a felt hat factory in Kerman, hut so far no
action has been taken. Mr. Wctli (see paragraph in page 7 above) is
interested in the proposal and hopes to be on the Board.