'SUMMARY OF THE PRINCIPAL EVENTS AND MEASURES OF THE VICEROYALTY OF HIS EXCELLENCY LORD CURZON OF KEDLESTON, VICEROY AND GOVERNOR-GENERAL OF INDIA IN THE FOREIGN DEPARTMENT. I. JANUARY 1899-APRIL 1904. II. DECEMBER 1904-NOVEMBER 1905. VOLUME IV. PERSIA AND THE PERSIAN GULF.' [‎21r] (46/386)

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the beginning of the following year, he was relieved by Captain Benn, who
held a commission as Vice-Consul. In 1902, M. Miller was promoted to be
Consul, and similar rank was accordingly bestowed on Major Benn, and was
subsequently held by bis successors, Mr. Dobbs, Captain Bam'ay, and Captain
Macpherson. The Vice-Consul bad been subordinate to the Consul-General
for Khorasan. The rise in rank was followed in 1903 by the grant of
independent status. The post grew steadily more important, and the labours
more arduous. In 1901, an Assistant to the Consul was appointed with the
rank of Vice-Consul, and in 1905, it became necessary to propose the addition
of a Consular Surgeon to the establishment. At an early period steps were
taken to provide a fitting residence for the British representative. Major
Trench, during his temporary deputation, had secured a modest site, and further
additions eventually brought the total area op to some 20 acres, on which now
stand the British Consulate and other subsidiary buildings, including lines for
the Consul’s escort and a serai for the accommodation of travellers.
A further measure in support of British interests was the opening of a branch
of the Imperial Bank of Persia in Nasratabad. In April 1902, Colonel
Opening of a branch of the imperial Trench reported that the Bussian Banque
Bank of Persia in Seistau. des Frets proposed to begin business on
an extensive scale at Meshed, and intended at an early date to open a branch
in Seistan also. The Government of India at once suggested that the Imperial
Bank should be approached with a proposal to establish an Agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. . An
arrangement was made that, for a period of five years, the Government
should guarantee a subsidy of £1,500 per annum, minus the net profits
of the branch. The Branch was formally opened on the 1st December 1903
under the management of two European Bank officials. Bussian intrigues for
some time succeeded in obstructing the acquisition of a suitable ground for
building. A site was not finally made available until April of the following
year, and one year more elapsed before the erection of the necessary premises
was completed*. The first year’s working showed a loss of £756 after deduct-
ino* the Government subsidy of £1,500; and at present there appears to be
little prospect of the Bank even paying its own expenses. But the Manager
appointed in the first instance was not entirely suited to the work, and his
place was taken in 1905 by a new official, who may yet be more successful
in promoting business.
The appointment of a British Consular Officer in Seistan soon necessitated
the up-keep of proper postal arrange-
institution of a Postal Service. ments. A British service was instituted,
and a post ran twice a week between Quetta and Birjand via Bobat and
Nasratabad. At Birjand this mail connected with the Persian post. Early
in 1901, at the instance of the Government of India, the Minister at Tehran
suggested to the Persian Government the desirability of opening a Persian
Yost Office at Nasratabad, and of connecting that place with the Persian
system at Birjand and with the Indian service at Bobat. No answer
was received to this communication until the month of August of the same
year, when, in response to a further enquiry, the Persian Director of Posts
replied that the question was under consideration, and that he hoped to
be able to arrange matters in due course. In July of the following year,
Major Benn reported that the local Customs officials had suddenly taken
over the postal service, which had been organised by the Bussian Consul,
between Seistan and Birjand through one Pasand Khan, Baluchi; and six
weeks later, M. D’Hoedt inaugurated a like service under the same lat«
Bussian Agent between Nasratabad and Koh-i-Malik Siah. Bcpresentations
were promptly made at Tehran regarding the unfriendly action of the Persian
Government in thus adopting the Bussian service to the entire exclusion
of that organised by the British Consul. The protest was effective; and the
line between Nasratabad and Koh-i-Malik Siah was handed over to men who
had previously been employed by Major Benn. Considerable difficulty was
still encountered in the settlement of details owing to the unfriendly attitude
adopted by the local Belgian officials and the post was only weekly and
very irregular. Einally, however, on the 1st February 1903, an Indian
postal official was deputed to the frontier; an office of international
exchange was opened at Koh-i-Malik Siah; and arrangements were made
for a regular bi-weekly post between Quetta and Bobat. From that point