'Administration Report of the Persian Gulf Political Residency for the Years 1915-1919' [‎177v] (361/396)

46 ANNUAL REPORT ON THE PERSIAN GULP POLITICAL RESIDENCY An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, established in the provinces and regions considered part of, or under the influence of, British India.
Trade. —The town of Nasiri bas increased in size continuously and has
now joined up with old Aliwaz.
The appreciation of the rupee and re-opening of the other trade routes into
Persia, closed during the War, has naturally affected the trade here. The boom
which was so Evident at the end of 1918 has ceased, and the colsequent reaction
has set in. ^
Business isho reverby no means at a standstill, and will no doubt
become steadier later on : the half yearly turn over of the Ahwaz branch of
the Imperial Bank of Persia being Krans 1,700,000 as compared with
Krans 1,185,000 in 1918.
The firm of Lynch Brothers who, in May combining with Messrs. Gray
Mackenzie and Company, Gray Paul and Company and Stephen Lynch
and Company, formed the Mesopatamia-Persia Corporation, Limited, show
a decrease of nearly 50 per cent in their forwardings up the Lynch Road
as compared with 1918, a table of which is attached (appendix II). They
have, however, shown considerable activity in the district. Since the cessation
of hostilities they have been able to place two ships on the Lower Karun
and one on the Upper Karun.
The Anglo-Persian Oil Company have made considerable progress during
the year under report.
8 new wells have been sunk where oil has been struck.
3 new subsidiary pumping stations have been put in course of construc
tion which will considerably increase the output of Oil to the refinery at
Abadan.
Another 10'" Pipe Line has been put in hand replacing the present 6* Pipe
Line from Tembi to Wais.
Bridges and roads have/and are being made which will render their
communications to the Oilfielxls a matter of ease in all weathers.
The present average output of oil per diem from the Pi o ld is;—
1,0(10,000 gallons day in cotnparis 'U with
700,000 gallons day in 1918,
The end of the War has also rendered their labour, both European and
Indian, easier to obtain, but owing apparently to continued Government
requirements, the company is suffering from a shortage of river transport
which considerably hampers their operations.
A most successful agreement with the Wali of Pusht-i-Kuh has just been
concluded by His Maj/st/y's Vice-Consuls at Kermanshah, Ahwaz (Captain
E. G. B. Peel) and a Company's representative, with regard to the Company
extending their operations into that province. A surveying engieer has returned
from an extended tour of the communications, to the district where work will he
commenced and his reports are most satisfying.
Revenue. —The revenue which is assessed and collected in money and
kind by the Sheikh of Mohammerah is taken by him, and he is then responsible
for a fixed payment ot the Persian Government.
Customs receipts :—•
1st. half year 1919 . . , Krs. 1,919,711'60 as compared with
2nd, half year 1.918 . . . Krs. 1 ,430,870'05.
Monsieur Cattersal held the appointment of Director of Imperial Customs
throughout the year, his relations with the Vice'Consulate being most
(jordial.
Foreign Interests.—"Nil
The Russian Consular Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. was suspended in October.
Uritish Post Office. — A bianch of the Ahwaz Post Office was opened in
the Oilfields on 3rd Septenuber 1919.