'Administration Report of the Persian Gulf Political Residency for the Years 1911-1914' [‎183v] (371/488)

100
PERSIAN GrTJLF ADMINISTRATION REPORT
seen that, so far as Messrs. Lynch Brothers' figures are concerned, there has
been a steady falling off in downward transport; the figures for the four years
being 7,657f, 6560 f, 5,099 and 3,9081 cwts. respectively.
The following table shows the average rates of hire for the past four
years.
Description.
1910.
1911.
1912.
1913.
Krs.
Krs.
Krs.
K m.
r
Camels • . •
. 417
6*49
6-55
570
Ahwaz to Ispahan per SLah maund-
Mules . . •
. 4 *60
5*98
675
7'36
Donkeys •
. <517
300
4-60
4-40
r
Camels . .
. 2*90
8-00
2-56
Mules . < •
. 2-75
2-70
8-00
3-25
Ispatan to Ahwaz . . . ^
. 2-00
3-00
Donkeys •
...
...
-
Opium per case
. 37*50
148-83
63*90
52-50
It will be noted that the rate of mule hire has again, notwithstanding the
security of the road throughout the year, shown a slight rise both for upward
and downward transport. This rise in rates is due in a great measure to the
partial failure of the winter rain and consequent scarcity and dearness of grain
and fodder, and partly to the general rise in prices, throughout Southern
Persia.
Sirdar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. -i-Jang undertook various repairs and improvements on the road
during the year. The road in some of the worst parts was cleared of boulders,
a good stone bridge was constructed over the Sabz Kuh stream at Dopulun, to
replace the dangerous wicker structure, the Karun bridge at Dopulun was
repaired and the building of a new caravanserai A roadside inn providing accommodation for caravans (groups of travellers). was commenced at Pul-i-
Godar.
The structural alterations to the Godar bridge were also undertaken by
Messrs. Lynch Brothers during the year, Mr. Sotham, Mr. Reed and a staff of
Baghdad! mechanics and workmen proceeded to the site in December.
Anglo-Persian Oil Company. —The pipe line and pumping stations
, at Tambi have been working satisfactori-
Britisn Interest. i
y '
The drilling operations at the Oil Fields, in Bakhtiari country, have
progressed satisfactorily. At the close of the year five wells were being
allowed to flow, ten others were capped and in a position to produce whenever
required, fifteen more were drilled through to the cap rock and could be
brought into production in the course of a few days, and two others were in
process of drilling. The total is thus 29 wells drilled or drilling against 26 at
the close of 1912.
Owing to a series of breakdowns in the plant at Abadan and other
accidents the pipe line has at no time been running to its full capacity, the
number of wells allowed to flow has therefore been small.
Permission was obtained from the Khans in May to sink trial wells at
Maidan-i-Bibiyun and Naft-i-Safid. The necessary plant and drilling machp
nery was transported to the latter field at the close of the year.
Excellent discipline)was maintained at the field during the year, and there
were no disorders to record among the European or native staffs.
The attitude of the Bakhtiari Chiefs and tribesmen towards the Company
has been most satisfactory and no friction has been experienced.
The Bakhtiari tribesmen, who formerly cultivated the land acquired by
the Company, were, in March, settled on other vacant land by Sirdar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. -i-Jangi
and this long standing difficulty was thus satisfactorily settled.
Mr. Ritchie continued as General Fields Manager, throughout the y ear »
Mr Capito acting as Assistant Fields Manager.