Coll 28/39(2) ‘Persia. Printed Correspondence, 1937–’ [‎63v] (126/320)

10
of the Imperical Bank of Iran that he has taken note of the retirement of Sir
Hugh Barnes from the Chairmanship of the Bank after having held that posi
tion for twenty-two years, and of the election as Chairman of Colonel Sir A
Henry WcMahon, G.C.M.G. [Knight] Grand Cross of [the Order of] St Michael and St George (accolade). , G.C.V.O., K.C.I.E.
2. While regretting the departure of Sir Hugh Barnes from a post which
he has filled with such distinction for so many years, the Secretary of State is
confident that under the Chairmanship of Sir Henry McMahon the direction of
the Bank’s affairs will be conducted in the same public-spirited manner as in
the past.
3. I am to take this opportunity of expressing the appreciation of the
Secretary of State of the assistance which his department invariably receives
from the Directors and the officials of the Bank in any matter connected with
the relations between this country and Iran.
( 9 )
Letter from His Majesty’s Minister, Tehran, to the Political Resid
ent in the Persian Gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. , No. 128/25/37, dated the 4th December
1937.
(Copy to Colonel Parsons.)
I sent Caroe a copy of my letter to Howard-Smith at the Foreign Office,
No. 126/19/37 of the 10th September, about the exchange requirements of
British Government servants. In this letter I referred to the case of Mr.
Gahan of Cable and Wireless, which formed the subject of the correspondence
ending with your despatch No. 33 of the 19th April.
2. I have now received a reply from the Foreign Office saying that they
cannot allow rials to be taken -over from British Government servants for
official purposes in exchange for official bills, but that they can allow the
Legation and Consulate staffs to take over rials for their personal use. The
gist of their reply is embodied in my circular despatch No. 37 of the 4th Decern
ber. With regard to Mr. Gahan, the Foreign Office agree that he may be
treated as a Government servant in view of his former service with the Indo-
European Telegraph Department. They suggest that the rials which he has
m Iran should be taken over from him by the members of the staff of the Resi
dency , in return for rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. in India. It does not look as if we are likely to get
any more exchange out of the Commission for him for a long time and it would
certainly save much trouble if you could arrange for his rials to be taken over
by members of your staff Will you let me know whether this has been
possible ? If not, we shall have to hammer awaj- at the Commission.
3. lam sending a copy of this letter to Parsons.
( 10 )
{Received on 6th February 1938 with Political Secretary's letter No. 3 dated the
20th January 1938.)
[Enclosure in Weekly letter No. 3, dated the 20th January 1938 from
Secretary, Political and Secret Department, India Office The department of the British Government to which the Government of India reported between 1858 and 1947. The successor to the Court of Directors. .] ^ ’
Letter from the Foreign Office, London, to His Majesty’s Minister
Tehran, No. E.-7447/7447/34, dated the 8th January 1938 ’
I have had under consideration your despatch No. 438 1339/8/371 of
oT 0 ^ m W. r N 22 n stS. regarding th6 admmiStratl ° n ° f the banlfupt ^elte
2. In view of the small sum of money involved, and the impossibilitv of
tracing the remaimng creditors, His Majesty’s Vice-Consul at KhorranXhr
may be authorised to distribute the residue to charity, subject to the concur
rence of the Government of India, with whom, I presume, His Maiestv’s
\ ice -Consul will himself communicate. majesty s