'Administration Reports 1920-1924' [‎141r] (286/412)

. peesian gulf political eesidency, 1923. 33
"F? 16 P ros P erit y of Bandar Abbas depends almost entirely on its use as a dis-
tnbutmg centre for import into Soutliern x Persia and the handling of export from
the interior for shipment. & ^
The local trade is small and unimportant.
Very serious inconvenience and embarrassment to British Indian importers
was caused early in the year by the promulgation of a Persian Law prohibiting
the export of silver rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. by sea from Persian Ports in the Gulf and levying an
embargo on the export of all specie in Cabotage.
Merchants were not able to avail themselves of making remittances by the
Money Order system through the British Post Office, to which the above orders,
also applied. The result was that large cash balances belonging to the British
Post Offices at Bandar Abbas and Lingah were held up in the case of former up
to first week in September.
In June the Mejliss amended the law raising the embargo against the export
of rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. and of specie in cabotage, but the Director of Customs did not receive
his instructions till the 10th July.
The British Indian Steam Navigation maintained a regular weekly service
both from Bombay as well as from Basrah, and vessels of Messrs. Frank Strick &
Co., called'once a month at the port direct from London via Antwerp.
Fifty steamers other than mail steamers and all under the British flag, called
at Bandar Abbas during the year.
Lingah. —There w r as a good pearling season with fair prices. '
Business in general was better than in 1922-
The boat building yards were busy throughout the year. About forty boats,
of different sizes were^built, fourteen of winch were to the order of people on the
Oman Coast.
About 5,247 donkeys arrived from Lar during the period under review with
merchandise consisjting chiefly of carpets, roses, oil seeds dried fruits and
almonds.
During the same period, some 12,138 camels entered the town with firewood,
charcoal and sailcloth from the vicinity of Khamir, Deshgoon and Mahtahy and
other places.
The British India Steam Navigation Company's mail steamers called regular
ly every week from Bombay and fortnightly from Basrah.
13 Vessels of other Companies all under the British flag also called at the
port.
Weatheb.
Bandar Abhas and Lingah. —The rains were rather late but there were good
falls in April and October in Bandar Abbas. Heavy rain also fell in October 111
Lingah where the water supply collected in the tanks is sufficient for the next year*
The heat in Bandar Abbas at the end of May and throughout the months of
June, July and August was intense and the town was practically deserted by end
of June.
Minab. —This district, as usual, enjoyed more rain and crops were moderate
ly good. #
Political Situation".
Our prestige is said to decline but no marked evidence of this-was observed
during the year under review.
A little capital was perhaps made by a few evil wishers in the town when the
British Post Offices in the district were closed down.
The policy pursued by this Consulate is one of friendly and helpful sympathy.
The local Persian officials have on the whole exhibited no. overt hostility
but have been found to be courteous and if anything friendly. The relations
of HrMajesty's Consulate with the administration have been harmonious
throughout. , , ^ ,,
Thp nnmprmm anti-British demonstrations reported by Reuters and the
English I^e™^\o have taken place at Tehran have not had their counterpart at.
Bandar Abbas.
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