Coll 30/9 'Persian Gulf: Administration Reports 1926-1938' [‎259r] (522/1028)

The failure of rains and resultant crop-failure caused dire distress. Water
had to be imported from Mohammerah and Bombay and the whole peninsula had
to draw drinking water from the wells at Bahmani (adjacent to the Imperial and
International Communications Company’s enclosure at Beshire) and seven miles
from Bushire town.
Wheat and barley prices soared until the Municipality controlled the price,-
and Bhoosa (wheat straw) was unobtainable.
After months of hard work and over a thousand telegrams to Tehran, the
Governor succeeded in getting permission for the free-of-trade-monopoly importa
tion of cereals into the Gulf Ports.
Wheat from Kermanshah and grants-in-aid did not reach Bushire till
October.
Advances of seed-grain were made to the peasantry who had been for many
months destitute and entirely dependent on the Bushire Municipality for food
and lodging.
On Christmas eve the long-awaited rain fell and the prospects of a crop
during the coming spring were satisfactory.
Chamber of Commerce .—There was a Persian Chamber of Commerce con
sisting of nine members. During the year they confined their small activities to
routine matters, such as the settling of disputes between merchants and the dis
tribution of sugar and matches.
SECTION 4.
Military and Marine.
General,—Bushire maintains training establishments for the training of
<1) Conscripts for the Regular Army, and (2) Recruits for the Amniyeh (Road
Guard) Department. Large and excellent barracks were found at Bahmani
(adjacent to the Telegraphs) in buildings once used by the British military
army of occupation.
Recruitment .— A Recruitment office was opened in January, and others
followed during the year. Each successive Recruiting Officer re-called and re
examined the youths exempted from service, and naturally re-exemption entailed
a" further donation bv the candidate. Owing to bad health and other reasons i
about sixty per cent, of the local youths of military age were exempted. f
Persian Navy and Marine.—On the 29th October Bushire Town welcomed
the arrival of the Persian Navy consisting of
Two Sloops of 950 tons .. Babr (Tiger).
Palang (Panther).
Four coastal patrol boats of 820
tons •• •• Chahbaaz (Falcon).
Chahrokh (Condor).
* Karkas (Vulture).
Simorgh (Phoenix).
The vessels had made an eventful, if slow, journey from Italy without calling
at Aden or Muscat as had been anticipated. They reached Bushire in time for
the arrival of H. I. M. the Shah on the 3rd November. .
The Italian Naval officers and personnel were bitterly disappointed with
Persia as they had been told that they would find a wonderful country flowing
with milk and honey, with wine and its attendant delights, far better than they
h a d ever found in Italy. Their first port of call was Charbar, thence by Bandar
Abbas to Bushire and, later with H. I. M. the Shah, they proceeded to Moham
merah where they anchored in the sweet waters of the Karun River to find
themselves dependent on the kindness of the Anglo-Persian Oil Company for
material comforts, such as foodstuffs and diink.
The vessels have made periodical visits up and down the Persian side of the
Gulf both singly and in flotilla.
Soon after the arrival of the fleet all the Customs (Preventive) vessels
(motor and steam) were transferred to the Naval Department with headquarters
at Mohammerah.
Smugglers complain that their trade is somewhat affected by these changes. /