Page 210 - PERSIAN 8 1912_1920

68 PERSIAN GULP ADMINISTRATION REPORT

Railways.—The question of the Trans-Persian Kailway was a sub’
much attentibn in the earlier part of the year Mr. AV. A. Johns
British intcrohti And i„.utatioM. JJ.e P^Hc W.vks Department, and Mr.
Tipper, of the Geological Survey of T j.
were deputed by the Indian Government to examine the course of the b ’
alignment between Karachi and Kcrraau, and to report on the mineral ros,Cs*
ccs of the country through which it would pass. At least this was infmUi'
for no notice or information regarding the mission was received by Ilis Maiest**
Consul Tho two officers just mentioned arrived at Korman, on Jnnii?.S
19th, having travollcd up through Baluchistan via Gch and Bam.' qj[lv
examined the country round Kerman and, in particular, the principal rcprrf°'i
sites of coal and other mineral deposits Mr. Tipper failed to find anv nib.
ral deposits of commercial value. Coal was only found in small quantiti°'
and of poor quality. Search for a practicable alignment for a railway tow^.08
Bandar Abbas over the mountains from the Deli Bakri Pass westwards to Baft
was equally unsuccessful. Mr. Johns was understood to have reported in
favour of an alignment from Ispahan via Yezd to Kerman and thence via Bam
past the south-west of Masitabad, Bampur, Gch, Chahbar, and thence nlon*-
or fairly close to, the coast to Karachi Feeder lines were proposed—
(1) Prom Masitabad into Jiruft.
(2) Prom Masitabad to Bandar Abbas.
(3) Prom Bampur to Nusratabad, Sistan.
(4) Prom Pasni to Kej and Pishin.
It is understood, however, that Ilis Majesty’s Government has vetoed
such an alignment and is holding out for one from Ispahan via Shiraz to
Bushirc or Bandar Abbas.
To the writer it appears that what the economic needs of Persia demand
regarding lines connecting the chief inland trade centres with tho nearest parts
on the coast, the principle which indeed underlies the Hamadan, IChurramabnd,
Mohanunerah scheme A similar line from Kerman to Bandar Abbas would
act as a conduit for the trade of most of Eastern Persia, including in a measure
Khorasan, and would appear to be free from most of the strategic drawbacks
of a line sti iking the coast further east. It would probably lead to a great
economic development in the parts of the province that arc capable of becoming
productive, such as Jiruft, and would put a termination to the lawless condi­
tions of the country between Kerman and Bandar Abbas in a ■way that sub­
sidising the Persian Government may fail to do. Por the meantime Kcraian
appears to be far removed from any hope of railways.
Proposed Mining Concession—During the first half of the year negotia­
tions were also being carried on by British financiers with a view to obtaining
a concession for the exploitation of the mineral resources of parts of Kerman
and the adjoining provinces. The proposed area of the concession was limited
on the north by a line connecting Abaaeh (between Yezdikhast and Dekbid)
and Nek, on the west by a line running duo south from. Abadeh, on the east
by a line running south from JVeh following the 60th degree of east longi­
tude and on the south by a line following the outline of the coast and 40 miles
inland from it.
Difficulties have been experienced in settling the exact terms of the con­
cessions, and the question of a loan, which it was proposed should he made to
the Peisian Government by tho concessionaires, and claims raised by those
interested in the Trans-Persian Railway scheme to rights in all mineral supply
situated along the course of their proposed alignment, further complicate
mattem No settlement appears to have been arrived at before the expir;
of the year. Mr. Tipper’s unfavourable report on the reputed mineral deposi =>
of Kerman throws some doubt on the commercial value of the concession.
Indo-European Telegraph Department.—In March the Suporintendent,
Mr J. W. Tanner, paid a visit to Shurgaz, -whcrelthe line at present cr0SSJj..lC
large torrent bed, and is liable to bo swept away whenever a flood comes. *
only remedy was found to he to make a diversion, and accordingly a ije"'.
for carrying tho wires across tho torrent bed was selected. Since then, tune ^
been occupied in discussing the nature of the material to be employed, ana
improbable*-that work will be commenced before next November.