"تقارير إدارية ١٩٢٠-١٩٢٤" [ظ‎‎١‎٨‎٩] (٤١٢/٣٨٣)

4g
In May there was further trouble as Persian Craft refused to call at the
'Iraq CustomSj post. The Karguzar protested against the payment of Port dues
by craft flying the Persian flag on the grounds that all Persian craft had the
right of navigation in the river. The Director of 'Iraq Customs Baghdad, the
Collector of Customs Basrah and His Britannic Majesty's Vice-Consul visited
and discussed this question with the Karguzar and the Provincial Director and
the two latter were informed that the question of Persian craft calling at the
'Iraq Customs post had no connection with the payment of port dues. An
arrangement was arrived at whereby all craft would continue to call as before
and this is working, smoothly.
There was incessant rain during January as a result of which the Karun
River rose several feet.
The country was flooded and most of the Arab villages along the river sade
were swept away and great damage was done to the crops. It was reported
that there was great loss of life and enormous loss of property and live-stock.
The Sheikh of Mohammerah commandeered motor launches and ballams and
sent grain and food stu^s to those rendered homeles,s. The Anglo-Persian Oil
Company also placed some of their River Craft at the disposal of the Sheikh for
this relief work.^
The office of His Britannic Majesty's Vice-Consulate and other British
Firms were closed on 3rd June in honour of His Majesty the King-Emperor's
birthday. A reception was held at the Vice-Consulate at which the Karguzar,,
Deputy Governor, Local officials and Heads of British Firms were present.
On 6th June the Deputy Governor held a reception in honour of the pre
sentation to the Persian Prime Minister of a photograph of Hazrat Ali from
the Holy Places in 'Iraq. His Britannic Majesty's Vice-Consul was invited to
attend. The Karguzar and other Persian officials and notables were presents
No speeches were made.
Post and Telegraphs.—-The 'Iraq Telegraph Office situated in the Vicew
Consulate building carried on its work during the year.
The 'Iraq Public Telephone which was set up in the Telegraph. Office attach
ed to the Consulate was closed down by order ofi the Superintendent of Posts;
and Telegraphs', Basrah on the 11th July.
The Persian Post Office carried on its work at Mohammerah during the
year. Monsieur Arjumond f Provincial Director of Persian Post Offices,.in Arab-
istan was transferred to Tehran in January, and was relieved by Mirza Isa.
Ivhan Parsa who arrived from Tehran and took over charge.
A Persian Post Office was opened at Abadan on 1st February.
The Persian Telegraph Office carried on its work during" the year:
Customs. —Monsieur J. Cbrdonnier was Provincial Director of Custom^,
during the year and the Department worked satisfactorily.
Local Police. —The Local Police Force continued under Haji Izzat Effendi
and worked satisfactorily. Since the Persian Military Occupation a new Rais
has been appointed (Seyed Ali Ash gar Khan) and Haji Izzat EfFendrhas pro
ceeded to Basrah. Sultan Mustapha, the head of the Police Force in Arabifen,
has recently arrived from Bushire and is^to reorganize the Force. He has made
his headquarters at Ahwaz. There seems little doubt that great progress will
be made by this Departmeent.
AdliyeJi. —This Department still ceases to exist and most of the petty cases
which hitherto were referred to and tried by the Head of the Police are now
referred to the new Military Governor who is having a busy time with all sorts
of claims dating back several years. The Military Governor stated that an
Adliyeh would soon be organized in the town.
BaladiyeJi. —There has been a marked improvement in this Department
since the Military Occupation. The Military Governor General has appointed
the Karguzar Rais-al-Baladiyeh and he in turn has appointed Agha Yousuf
Abdi his Deputy' and some of the leading local merchants members of Com
mittee. Far more interest is, now being taken in the sanitation of the town.
Agha Karopn the late head of this Department has been taken severely to task
by the Military Governor General and is at present under surveillance pending
his producing a satisfactory account of expenditure of taxes collected during hi®
term of office..