Page 439 - PERSIAN 8 1931_1940_Neat

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A scheme to build an almshouse to put a stop to street begging is under
consideration.
Aqayi Hashimi the Editor of the local paper "Bidari” was elected
President of the Municipal Committee in the new elections which took place
in November.
A griculturc.—The wheat and barley crops during the year were fairly
satisfactory. The cultivation of co!ton was greatly encouraged by the
authorities, in place of opium. The pistachio crop was more satisfactory
than that of the last year, though the rates remained at the same level, viz..
Rials 21 to 24 for 61 lbs.
Locusts.—No swarms of locusts were seen in the province during the
year.
Sijil-i-Ahwal (Census Department).—Aqayi Sam held the post of act­
ing Head of this Department throughout the year.
12. Local Politics.—There are practically no politics in this backward
and isolated place—Kerman. The Kermanis have learnt the lesson to sub­
mit blindly to the will of those who represent the Government and compel
them to abide by the new laws and ever-changing regulations. For in­
stance, although the bi-lateral arrangements of the Government in mono­
polising nearly the entire trade, and in restricting the foreign exchange,
is much disliked by the people, yet they are compelled to invest a part
of their capital in such monopolised companies, in which they have little
or no confidence.
The unveiling of women which came into effect in January was the
most striking event of the year. Although the movement was carried out
by public functions supposed to have been voluntarily organised by the
public, yet, in truth, Government influence was behind it. The Military
had orders to accord their full support to the Police in time of emergency.
The power of the once-powerful Mullahs continues to decrease.
The Muharram festivals which followed the unveiling movement pass­
ed off practically unnoticed1.
13. Press.—There are nominally 4 weekly periodicals published in
Kerman but only one of them appears with even a semblance of regularity.
These papers subsist not so much by sales or genuine subscriptions, but by
voluntary donations from the local personages, who often find it safer and
advisable to pay an insurance premium against paper criticisms of their
conduct. These papers often publish notices about the registration of pro­
perty and carefully censored news extracted from the papers of the Capital.
The “Istiqamat”—the leading local periodical published a suitable obituary
article on the death of our beloved King.
Health and General Welfare.—Dr. Perviz Sediq held the post of Rais-
i-Behdasht (Health) throughout the year. There were no epidemics. The
general health of Kerman was good.
14. Military and Conscription.—Sarhang Ali Akbar Seyahpush re­
mained in command of the Kerman Brigade throughout the year.
The question of converting the Brigade into a Division is still under
consideration at the Capital.
The 15th Anniversary of the Coup d’etat was celebrated by the Mili­
tary authorities on the 23rd February and attended by both sexes. His
Britannic Majesty’s Consul did not attend owing to court mourning.
The work on the partly constructed barracks on the Sarascyab road
was abandoned. Elaborate Military barracks to accommodate a complete
division are now under construction at Saraseyab, about six miles to the
east of Kerman.
Sartip Johanbani arrived at Kerman during the month of June to
supervise, the Military manoeuvres and mountain battery gun practice which
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