'Administration Reports of the Persian Gulf, 1945 [-1946]' [‎44r] (100/414)

17./-
la.
the policy of tixe British Consulate; wanted to know how many-
British subtests resided in Kerman and whether they were
popular with the locals^ and made general trade enquiries
etc. In whispered tones they also asked whether the British
military authorities had constructed any fortifications on the
surrounding hills* Later on in the year, in November, the
Russian Consular A gent at Zabul visited Bam and amongst other
things asked the Farmandar a number of questions about culti-
-vation in that area and the farmers' share of crops#
For the latter half of the year public interest was
focussed on Russian actions in Azerbaijan which caused them
grave anxiety.
In September A qai Ayatulla h, the chief local mullah,
who wa s greatly venerated not only in Kerman but in many
parts of the country, died at the age of 74. During his life-
-time he was always a most stabilising influence, especially
in times of crises between local factions. With his passing
this Consulate lost a most staunch a nd loyal friend.
In October A qai Hassan Ibrahimi, the Mukhtar ul Mulk
and hea d of the Ibrahimi family, died at the age of 70.
M. Propaganda,
There were 23 P.R.B.Reading Rooms maintained through
out the year in Kerma n, Yezd and the outlying towns and vil-
-lages of this Consulate area. Publicity material received
from the Public Rela tions Bureau and Indian, which included a
diversity of magazines, pamphlets, newspapers and books etc.
in Persia n, English a nd French, were regularly distributed
to a 11 Reading Rooms about 4 times a month, including a daily
news bulletin which was greatly sought after by readers in
outlying villages. Display of photographic build-ups proved
to be an additiona 1 attraction to the public. Journals and
maga zines etc. for free distribution were regularly circulated
amongst government officials and notables throughout the year
and papers and ma ca zines for sale were sold through the agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent.
of booksellers and others.
Consula te Mobile Ginema .
Throughout the year the mebile cinema gave 85 cimema
shows of which 46 were given outside Kerman. Market squares
and other suitable places where large crowds congregate were
chosen for the shows. Each programme lasted for about an hour
and a ha If and consisted of about 8 well assorted films in
cluding news reels, short comics a nd feature films. In the
larger towns these shows invariably attracted an average of about
1500 to 2000people, all of whom appeared to have derived the
grea test enjoyment from them. Special shows were given for
the benefit of schools, and the military authorities, which was
grea tly appreciated. In the outlying villages where the peo
ple had never in their lifetime seen a 1 talkie film', the en-
thusia sm and interest was intense.
Owing to post-war economies 21 Reading Rooms were
closed, in November with the euiception of one in Kerman and one
in Yezd, but the Mobile Cinema in still in operation.
The India n Teachers of English in Kerman and Yezd
have been doing their best to attract students to their classes
during the year but the response, for various reasons, which have
been reported separately, has not been as good as it might have
been.