Coll 30/9 'Persian Gulf: Administration Reports 1926-1938' [‎99r] (202/1028)

A scheme to build an almshouse to put a stop to street begging is under
consideration.
Aqayi Hashimi the Editor of the local paper “Bidari” was elected
President of the Municipal Committee in the new elections which took place
in November.
Agriculture .—The wheat and barley crops during the year were fairly
satisfactory. The cultivation of cotton was greatly encouraged by the
authorities, in place of opium. The pistachio crop was more satisfactory
than that of the last year, though the rates remained at the same level, viz.,
Bials 21 to 24 for 6^ lbs.
Locusts .—No swarms of locusts were seen in the province during the
year.
Sijil-i-A hwal {Census Department ).—Aqayi Sam held the post of act
ing Head of this Department throughout the year.
12. Local Politics .—There are practically no politics in this backward
and isolated place—Kerman. The Kermanis have learnt the lesson to sub
mit blindly to the will of those who represent the Government and compel
them to abide by the new laws and ever-changing regulations. For in
stance, although"the bi-lateral arrangements of the Government in mono
polising nearly the entire trade, and in restricting the foreign exchange,
is much disliked by the people, yet they are compelled to invest a part
of their capital in such monopolised companies, in which they have little
or no confidence.
The unveiling of women which came into effect in Januaiy was tat
most striking event of the year. Although the movement was carried out
by public functions supposed to have been voluntarily organised by the
public yet in truth, Government influence was behind it. I he Military
had orders’to accord their full support to the Police in time of emergency.
The power of the once-powerful Mullahs continues to decrease.
The Muharram festivals which followed the unveiling movement pass
ed off practically unnoticed.
13. Press. There hre nominally 4 weekly periodicals published m
Kerman but only one of them appears with even a semblance of regularity.
These papers subsist not so much by sales or genuine subscriptions, but by
voluntary 3 don at i ons from the local personages, who often find it safer and
advisable to pay an insurance premium against paper criticisms of their
conduct. These papers often publish notices about the registration o pio-
pertv and carefully censored news extracted from the papers of the Capi a .
The^Istiqamat”—the leading local periodical published a suitable obituary
article on the death of our beloved King. .
Health and General Welfare.-Dr. Perviz Sed ^ the i £ ic <, g f ^
i-Behdasht (Health) throughout the year. There were no epidem •
ccpnprnl health of Kerman was good. ^ ^
consideration at the Capital ^ celebrated by the Mili-
The 15th Anniversary of the Cot p ^ by both His
tary authorities on the 23rd ieo court mourning.
Britannic Majesty’s Consul did not ^ tend ° | s on the Saraseyab road
The work on the partiy “Mtm , ^a accommodate a complete
risirrSw s—s ^ ^ t 0 ^
east of Kerman. . TTp-rman during the month of June to
..peSlbSi"—™ e ” Pr ‘“'”
46(C) ExAffairsDept