'Reports of administration for 1918 of divisions and districts of the occupied territories in Mesopotamia. Volume I' [‎217v] (439/470)

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Hides and skins. These are exported to Baghdad.
.Dibn or ghi is exported to Baghdad and is thence exported by sea.
Wool, both Arabi and Kurdi, is extensively exported to Baghdad.
A kind of llama goat wool is also exported.
Several different kinds of carpets and saddle bags are exported.
The following articles are imported and exported south :—
Tobacco from Sulaimaniyah, a special kind or rice (zerdelikao) from Sulaim-
maniyah, walnuts, pears, gum, grapes, raisins, dried mulberries from Sulaimaniyah,
cigarette papers from, Mosul.
Pullers’ earth, Arab cozi, Arab tents are exported to Baghdad.
Imports from other districts include dates from Mandali, cotton goods and
groceries from Baghdad, pomegranates and oranges from Ba qubah, silks from
Persia.
11. Currency. —With the exception of the golden lira (now worth Bs. 18/8- in
Kifri) the Turkish currency has disappeared. There was difficulty at first over the
currency, which was alleviated by putting in the bazaar a sufficiency of Indian small
coinage.
12. Weights and Measures. —Wheat and barley is measured by the waznah of
60 Stambul okes and rice by the manu of 10 Stamboul okes. Cotton is measured
by the Aleppo yard.
13. Communication and Transport.— The caravan route from Baghdad is via Dali
‘Abbas, the Sakaltutan Pass, Qarah Tappah to Kifri. Prom Baghdad to Kirkuk the
route branches to the east at Kami Kupri and joins the main road again at Tuz
Khurmatu. Prom Kifri to Khanaqin is via the Dakkah ford. The recognised
crossings of the Diyalah in winter are by kelik at the following places :—Qizil Robat
(on the Mandali-Qarah Tappah route), Shaikh Babu, Dakkah, Kani Masi, Khidu. Prom
Kifri to Sulaimaniyah, the caravan route is counted as 3| days’ journey, the stages
being Ibrahim Khanji, Kirpachinah, Timar. This is a difficult track, even for mules,
and impossible for carts and camels. It is little used at present owing to shortage of
grain and fodder at the stages. The alternative route is via Tuz, Tauq, Lailan,
Chamchamal (6 days). The route to Halabja is by the Diyalah. Transport at present
is very scarce, practically all that exists coming from the Khalis or from Kirkuk or
Sulaimaniyah. The present rates of mule hire are Rs. 5 per day.
General Political Aefairs during British Administration.
1 . Officers. —Capt. R. W. Bullard, C.I.E., arrived at Kifri on May 3rd, a few days
after the capture of the town, and took up his duties as P.O. He left for Kirkuk on
May 9 th, leaving Capt. R. P. Jardine in charge. Capt. S. H. Longrigg, A.P.O Tuz,
reached his post on May 9th. Capt. Bullard returned to Kifri after the evacuation of
Kirkuk and returned to Baghdad at the end of July; Capt. S. H. Longrigg was
transferred to A.P.O., Kirkuk, and handed over the nahiyah of Tuz Khurmatu at the end
of October. Capt. S. A. Wright, M.C., arrived at Kifri in November as assistant to
A.P.O., Kifri.
2. Condition of Kifri District.— At the capture of the town, the leading
officials had fled and all the records had been removed or burnt. The population of
the town consisted almost exclusively of women and children, the men having been
taken for military service or run away to avoid it. These women and children were
starving : many had had nothing but grass to eat for weeks, and deaths were occurring
every day. The bazaar Avas empty ; trade had ceased. The toAvn presented a most
dilapidated appearance, for in many cases the doors and window-frames of the houses
had been taken by the Turkish troops for fuel, and in others the woodivork had been
removed and concealed by the tenants to save it from being stolen, firstly by the
Russians, latterly by the Turks. Peeling Avas more bitter against the Russians than
against the Turks.
Right up to the reoccupation of Kirkuk immigrants continued to leave the
Turkish areas for ours. Most of them had determined to get to the Khalis and
Baghdad. •
Pood relief Avas arranged from Baghdad, and wheat, barley, and dates Avere got
up. A Avorkhouse and reception compounds were instituted for the benefit of the
starving poor and immigrants, who were fed until able to work fcir their food*