Page 502 - PERSIAN 8 1931_1940_Neat

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nro finished and it is now proposed to import weaving machinery if an ex­
change permit can be obtained. Production of yarn was kept up for part of
tho year, until stocks accumulated which could not lie disposed of. The
selling price dropped from Rials 70 to Rials 48 per bundle. Since then only
two shifts of one hundred and fifty workers each have been employed and
tho mill at presont is only working five days in the week.
58. Tho spinning mill owned by Dchqan Brothers, attached to tho Elec­
tric Company, commenced production at tho No Roux. 30-count yarn is
turned out, which docs not compete with the other mill. Some was shipped
to Germany in the summer. A plan for a second mill has not been proceeded
with.
50. Tho Directors of these mills formed a subsidiary company, which
operates the cotton ginning plants in Shiraz and other parts of the Province
in co-operation with the Wool and Cotton Company.
60. An establishment started by the Agricultural Bank is producing
handwoven cloth and smaller articles. The looms were obtained from India
and machines for making ribbons and shoelaces from Japan. The looms are
sold or hired to weavers on an instalment plan, payment being effected by
sale of tho products of the looms. Apprentices are trained.
61. The Fars Electric Company has ordered a new British diesel engine
of 650 H. P., which has remained in the Customs at Bushirc throughout most
of the year. It has now been cleared, but difficulties have arisen over the
payment of a foreign expert required to erect it. As from the No Iiouz a
ten-hour servico was given for town lighting, starting at sunset. The prico
per unit was at the same time reduced from Rials 5 to Rials 3-50. Since
the cotton mill started working the plant has been overloaded.
62. The Khollar Wine Factory continued to produce wine, spirits, and
various liqueurs, a small quantity being supplied to -Tehran and other cen­
tres. A German engineer i3 in charge.
63. Plants for a cotton print factory, a second spinning mill, cement
works, a pottery factory, and soap and perfumery works have not been pro­
ceeded with.
64. The Industrial Companies in operation at the end of the year were :—
Sherket-i-Sahami Nassaji-i-Fars (Fars Manufacturing Co.).
Sherket-i-Sahami Bargh-i-Fars (Fars Electric Co.).
Sherket-i-Sanayi-dasti (Handicrafts Co.).
Shcrket-i-Kkollar-i-Fare (Khollar Wine Co.).
65. The Government Sugar Refinery at Merv Dasht, 30 miles north of
Shiraz, re-opened for the whiter season in November.
66. Military affairs.—The strength of the Fare Division remains about
the same. There have been various detachments on duty in different parts
of the Province during most of the year. The Shiraz barracks arc now com-
pleted and training has proceeded as usual. Unrest in Kuhgilu necessitated
a military expedition in the autumn. General Zandieh was replaced as
General Officer in Command by General Amidi.
67. The Road Guards (Amnieh) have been kept up to strength. Various
incidents occurred in Laristan with smugglers and troops had to be sent after
an attack on a post near Lar in September. The Officer Commanding Amnieh
was suspended in December and a new and energetic Colonel from Tehran
has taken over.
68. British interests.—The Consulate was in charge of Mr. A. E.
Watkinson throughout the year. His Majesty’s Consul visited Isfahan from
April 4 to May 3 and again from October 10 to November 6, and also paid a
visit to Tehran. Mr. W. H. Young, Acting Vice-Consul at Shiraz, left for
Tehran on January 3 and was succeeded by Mr. R. F. G. Sarell. Mr. Sarell
and Mr. li. Cecil were attached to the Consulate on language duty during the
year, a part of which was spent in Isfahan. Mr. Cecil left for the United
Kingdom on sick leave in September. Mr. Sarell was posted temporarily
to Tehran on December 15. Khan Bahadur W. A. Aliad remained Pro-
Consul throughout the year.