Coll 30/9 'Persian Gulf: Administration Reports 1926-1938' [‎267r] (538/1028)

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Sadr-ill-An am and Agha Jamalnddin Khan Samawi as Muddai-ul-Umum and
M u stan tiq rospeetively.
Lingah and Mmab -—The Deputy Governors remained in charge of the
Sulhieh Courts at these places much to the discontent of merchants and traders
there.
Customs.
Bandar Abbas.—Mirza Abu Talib Khan Abasalti continued to hold charge of
the Provincial Director throughout the year. He was, as compared with his
predecessor, reputed to be most unreasonable in his dealing with the merchants,
who were greatly handicapped by the application of the Trade Monopoly law to
its very letter.
The surtax which was raised in February from 80 per cent, to 120 and then
reduced to 136 per cent, in March was again raised to 176 per cent, in May and
reduced to 160 per cent, in June.
The Persian Government having reserved the monopoly of the import of
suo-ar and matches for themselves, the consignments of these commodities were
stored in the Customs House and then sold to the merchants. Monsieur li. Del-
courde the Inspector General of Customs visited Bandar Abbas in May with the
chief object of making arrangements for the storage of the Government sugar and
matches. The old godowns were demolished and the work on the new ones com
menced in September. The masonary pier was also being extended to erect
coverings lor landing and storage of sugar and matches.
No cases of smuggling of gold of any importance were reported during the
year with the exception of small quantities found on the persons of passengers.
It is, however, believed that large quantities were sent out of the country by
means of the sailing dhows leaving from small ports m this district without being
detected by the Customs officials on patrol duty on the coast and waters.
The Customs posts on the Biyaban Coast, which were closed in March due to
the raids on them by the tribesmen were reopened in September.
The Customs officials hailing from the North were, to the great dis-satisfac-
tion, of those from the Gulf, given an increase of 90 per cent, on their pay and
allowances.
Persian Troops.
Bau'lar Abbas.~Ya.wsr Safar AH Khan Nnsrat was in command till the end
of September when he was relieved by Yawar Abdullah Khan Arab Nizad.
Sarhang Mohammed Khan Maimand, the General Officer Commanding the
Kerman Brigade inspected the garrison here in July.
The operations in Biyaban ended in April without much success. Saiaang
Alhurz, who has since been transferred.^ Zabul Force, was however success :ul
in getting hold of Sardar Leader of a tribe or a polity; also refers to a military rank or title given to a commander of an army or division. Mir Barkat Khan and m collecting 1,200 rifles Irom his
followers Abdul Husain Khan Kameran and the two sons of Must at a ivhan,
ihe archout-laws in the Bashakird area still remained at large. The operations
were again in progress in the latter part of the year when a detachment under
Command of Yawar Safar Ali Khan Nusrat was despatched from here to join
the par tv sent from the Baluchistan Force, with a view to complete the disaima-
ment of the tribesmen and to bring the ring leaders to task.
Conscription.
Bandar Abbas —74 men were enlisted for this force during the year, and most
of those who were fit for the service, but exempted on payment of cash presents
to the influential members of the Committee, were on scrutinizing the list called
upon to join the force.
Condition of the Country.
Bandar Abbas.--The town remained quiet throughout the year.
Condition of the Roads.
The roads leading to Kerman via the passes of Zagh and Zindan remained
quiet safe during the year. . ,
Thr Linnah-Lor Motor Rowf.-This was opened for traffic m June but was
aeain closed owing to severe damages caused by the ram during the next montn.