'Administration Report of the Persian Gulf for the Year 1937' [‎20r] (39/72)

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Principal of the C. M. S. Boys school he excused himself " owing to lack of
time," but felt sure he would have found everything to his satisfaction.
VIIT. Municipality. —There was no change dur ng the year in the control
of this department. Improvements continue to be made by cutting new
thoroughfares through the town. But the alignments are' ruthless and,
as is the custom, the owners of affected property suffer in the interests of
progress.
Towards the end of the year the number of beggars frequenting the Ker-
man streets was considerably augmented by the influx of poverty-stricken
villagers from the surrounding country. At the instigation of the Governor,
a local fund was raised to establish shelters where the genuine poor could be
housed and fed.
IX. Health. —With the exception of a certain amount of typhoid in the
middle of the year, the health of the town was generally good. At the end
of the year deaths due to " heart failure " became more frequent—a more
correct diagnose would probably have been ill-nourishment and exposure.
5. Military.
I. Colonel Ali Akbar Seyahpom h remained in Command of the Kerman
Brigade throughout the year.
General Rouh-Allah Mirza Jehanbani inspected the Brigade in December.
The anniversary of the coup d'etat was celebrated by the military on
22nd February. On this occasion invitations to attend the Review were
issued only to senior local officials. Foreign residents were not inv.ted as
formerly.
The Military barracks at Sar Asiab, about 6 miles east of Kerman, are
nearlng completion.
A Military Mission consisting of the French Marshal in Iran employ and
25 Iranian officers arrived in Kerman on 10th October, proceeding to Bandar
Abbas three days later.
II. Conscription. —The committee terminated its Kerman session on
6th December. 300 conscripts were called up in October by the committee
and distributed among units in the Kerman Brigade. Conscription is not
popular among the inhabitants.
III, Internal security. —Security has been fairly well maintained through
out the province during 1937 by the military and the Amneih (Road Guards).
No attacks on motor transport are recorded.
In March a party of 6 Baluchi smugglers with three rifles and two bags
of sugar were arrested in Rudbar by the military and brought to Kerman
for trial.
In August a caravan returning to Rudbar from Kerman was attacked by
seven armed bandits about 14 miles beyond Mahun. One of the party was
killed and one wounded. The Road Guards eventually went in pursuit,
but the raiders made good their escape with rials 240,000 (£3,000) in cash
and piece-goods valued 60,000 (£750).
In October a band of Baluchis of the Ismail Zai tribe attempted to
plunder the village of Farrah between Bam and Nusratabad on the Zahidan
road. In this case the Road Guards successfully drove off the raiders.
Early in December a band of about 150 armed Baluohis raided a number
of villages near Shahdad, 65 miles north east of Kerman. A company of in
fantry at once moved out from Kerman and are reported to have driven the
raiders up to the Dasht-i-Rudbar, but were unable to cut off their escape.
6. Communications.
I. Roads. —The main roads from Kerman were maintained in
adequate repair during the year. The Bandar Abbas-Kerman road
is increasing in importance. Practically all merchandise is now con
veyed over this road in heavy lorries. Most of this 350 miles stretch is a
natural surface which stands up to heavy traffic exceedingly well, and requires
little maintenance. There are however, permanent road gangs along the
63(C) ExAffairsDept