Coll 30/9 'Persian Gulf: Administration Reports 1926-1938' [‎261r] (526/1028)

As a relief measure during the famine period, work was begun on the
Bushire-Bandar Abbas road but beyond cleaning the surface of its more im
portant obstructions little was done. The mishandling and underpayment of
the labourers gave rise to much discontent and was the occasion for a mass
protest to His Excellency the Governor. Work has since been discontinued and
it is said that the rains have done much towards the obliteration of the results
achieved.
Busliire-Ahivaz via Ganoweh .—The road as far as Ganoweh is not main
tained at all and is now a mere track and the ferry established by the Anglo-
Persian Oil Company at Rudhilleh has also fallen into disuse. The route now
taken is via Angali and Hayat Hand where a ferry was established by a local
merchant who had undertaken a post contract for the carriage of mails by
mechanical transport between Bushire and Ahwaz. Unfortunately lack oi
support killed this enterprise and the ferry is rapidly deteriorating.
Security of the Ponds.—While it is probably safe to say that the general
security of the roads was somewhat better than during recent years the
customary crop of holds-up occurred during the tribal migratory periods and a
band of outlawed Chahkutahi tribesmen, who are still at liberty, made sporadic
raids on passing traffic.
Air Lines. Owing to the failure of the Persian Government to agree to
acceptable terms, Imperial Airways transferred the route for the United King-
c ] om India service from the Persian to the Arab Coast during the year.
The postal air-mail service run by the Junkers Company between Bushire
and Tehran also met with difficulties and was suspended The Dmch Line
IK I M) which carries mails and passengers between Holland and Batavia
maintained a weekly service and their planes continued throughout the year to
ffind both outward and homeward, at-Bushire. As with the French Air Orient
it is’understood that from April they were merely granted single flight permits
10 ^Analo ^Persian Oil Company.—After drilling to a depth of 3,600 feet and
discovering evidence of the existence of oU at an earlier age the Anglo-Persian
Oil Company withdrew from Lavar (Kuh-i-Muna) m November.
The cancellation of the H ’Arcy Concession had no repercussions in this
area.
Exports and Imports.-ln the absence of statistics or precise iftfoiroation
recardine the destination of exports or the countries of origin of imports it is
not possible to make other than general observations.
Cameix The supply of now carpets was considerably diminished by the
arain and water famine wUch played havoc with the flocks, although the shortage
was offset to some extent by personal sales made Irom sheer necessity y
impoverished individuals.
The export trade has practically ceased and there is news of enforced
sales bv tanks both in England and the United States of America to recover
■advances made by them to Persian merchants against S Dol f“
dealer in New York is known to have dropped about 5,00,000 American Hollars
ns the result of price-reductions.
There can he little hope of improved markets for ttase articles of luxury
until more 'prosperous times return and until foreign tariffs are loueiec .
n „ rpho mabilitv of the monopoly to find a market for the opium
Omuw. inro’olv due to the excessive export duty of £83 ner case oi
lOCnbs. Imposed bv the Persian Government and led eventually to the cancella
tion of the Concession.
The monopolists were extremely hard pressed for funds and one can well
imagine ^hoiF monopoly " rights.
Thef are reported to have about 5.800 cases in stock at an average cost to them
of about Rials 7,800 per case of 160 lbs. for winch they are unable to find a