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3. Foreign Interests.
T. American-Iranian Oil Company.—Mr. H. G. Schunk, a mineralogist
of the Company, arrived in Kerman on 13th ©scomber. During his stay°ho
visited a number of villages in this district, but from what ho had so far
seen ho was not very hopeful of this area.
II. Agriculture.—In June, Mons. A. Wetli, of Swiss nationality, in
partnership with two of the leading Zorastrian merchants, of Kerman, ’ ac­
quired a large area of land near the villages of Hajiabad and Ghakum, about
half way between Sirjan and Bandar Abbas, for agricultural development.
The price paid is believed to be in the neighbourhood of rials 1,500,000
(£18,750). Mons. Wetli is very optimistic as regards the future of this venture.
III. Trade.—With the exception of the export of carpets to America,
where the market during the latter half of the year was bad, and a number of
bales of Japanese picco goods which find their way to Kerman periodically,
there was comparatively little foreign trade with other countries.
4. Local Government.
I. Governor-General.—Aqai Ardelan occupied this office until he was
suddenly called to the Capital in the middle of July. His suspension was
followed by the transfer of a number of other officials, which together with
the visit of several civil and military enquiry commissions suggests that
all was not well in the working of this and other local departments. Aqai
Ardclan was, for past reasons, favourably disposed towards this Consulate.
Aqai Ismail Merat was appointed Governor at the beginning of Novem­
ber, Aqai Arrastch acting in the interim. Very cordial relations have been
established between the Consulate and the new Governor, and there is every
prospect that such a state of affairs will continue. On the arrival of Ismail
Herat the appointment was designated “ Farmandar-i-Kerman ” (Governor),
instead of Governor-General as formerly. But at the close of the year the final
adjustment of the new administrative divisions had not been determined.
It is believed that a Kerman Division will be evolved from the reshuffling,
with Kerman as the headquarters.
II. Bank-i-Milli (National Bank).—Aqai Avansian Alexander took
over the managership in October. During the year two new branches were
opened at Sirjan and Bam.
III. Justice.—Aqai Ghyasi, the Chief Judge of the Appellate Court,
was the head of this department throughout the year.
The most notorious case dealt with was one of murder of a woman by
a woman. The accused was sentenced to imprisonment for life.
IV. Police.—The Chief of Police, Lt.-Col. Fatemi, was summoned to
Tehran on 17th October to answer charges of receiving bribes. His assistant
Capt. Gurzin was appointed to act in his absence.
V. Customs.—The activities of this department in Kerman are con­
fined to the examination and sealing of carpets for export abroad, to avoid
repacking at the port.
VI. Posts and Telegraphs.—On the whole this department functioned
with Iranian efficiency so far as this Consulate was concerned. No covers
received during November and December showed signs of being tampered
with, but towards the end of the year one or two wrappers on books and news­
papers appeared to have been removed and replaced, and those torn in the
process were endorsed “ damaged in transit ”. In reply to one protest the
Kerman Postmaster stated that he received them in this condition, which
I believe to be correct. Any tampering with the Kerman Consulate mail
can be attributed to Tehran activity.
VII. Educatio7i.—Aqai Mayel Tawiscrkani had control of this depart­
ment throughout the year.
Three new primary schools for girls were opened in October. One
good effect of the introduction of western modes of attire is that of school
uiiiforms which ure a decided improvement.
The Boy Scout and Girl Guide movements continue to make progress
in most centres, but it is doubtful if there are sufficient qualified instructors
to develop tho movement along the recognised lines.
The Minister of Education visited Kerman from 9th to 11th April. He
nspcctcd all the Government schools, but not the C. M. S. schools. To the

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