Coll 30/9 'Persian Gulf: Administration Reports 1926-1938' [‎270v] (545/1028)

'the motor road to Zahidan (Duzdap) is now very seldom used owing to the
tail-head having been removed to Nok-Kundi.
{b) Security of Trade Routes .—In spite of desultory robberies on the Bandar
Abbas-Kerman motor road by Farsi robbers, the security of trade routes in the
Province lias considerably improved. The Amnieh Department performs its
duties more efficiently and a number of stray robbers caught have in most cases
been executed by the Military Department. On the whole, law and order on the
trade routes in the Province has been well maintained.
(c) Posts .—New Post offices were opened at Zerind and Rawar at the end
of the year.
The bi-weekly service between Kerman and Bandar Abbas was changed to a
weekly one in the month of September owing to the previous postal contract
having expired and there being no offers for the new one. The authorities were,
however, obliged to sanction an increase of 200 Tumans per mensem on the
•previous contract, held by a Parsi, Rustam Xavandad, and renew it at a figure of
Tumans 700 per mensem.
The unsatisfactory delivery arrangements prevailing in the Kerman Post
Office reported in the previous Administration Report have not improved. A
secret censorship is applied to all foreign niails arriving at Kerman.
(d) Wi) •eless .—The Wireless Station in Kerman was not used during the
year, though it is supposed to be in working order. This is apparently due to the
great expense involved in its working.
(e) Aviation .—No aeroplanes visited Kerman during the year and the
aerodrome to the north-west of the town has, therefore, been neglected.
B .—Local Government and Politics.
8. Condition of the Country .—The administration of the province has con
tinued to improve and law and order well maintained. The Amnieh authorises
succeeded in capturing a number of highway robbers or defaulters who were dealt
with by the Military authorities. Complaints against officials of the Military and
Amnieh Departments by villagers have been negligible. The Police force appears
to be more efficient and their patrols in the town more regular. The number of
burglaries has decreased.
The Shah’s popularity for the efficient administration of the country and the
state of security has been maintained.
9. Local Officials and Departments. — Governor-General ,—His Excellency
Mirza Reza Khan, Afshar, was transferred from Kerman in February to take
up his new appointment as the Minister of Roads. Dadras, the assistant to the
Governor-General officiated till relieved in March by His Excellency Mirza Seyvid
Mustafa Khan, Kazimi, who still holds the appointment. As regards his
antecedents, reference is invited to the Kerman Consulate Administration Report
for 191b. under heading “ Political History ”. Kazimi then held the appointment
of the Chief of Education in Kerman.
His Excellency s relations with the Consulate have been cordial though only
of an official nature. He is very interested in the cutting of new Khavabans
(a\ enues) in the Kerman Town and districts. He rendered valuable assistance
during the fioods of July 1932 and is on the whole popular.
Finance and Rcienue. Ihere has been considerably less corruption in the
1 mance Department and the administration has greatlv 'improved. Amir Khan,
kohrabian was the Provincial Director at the end of the vear. He, like various
other heads oi departments, has no relations with the Consulate.
Opium.—The taxed rate on opium remains at Rials. 0.50 per miscal and it is
believed that m future the tax will be levied on acreage. During the vear under
review, the income accruing from opium was slightly larger than that of the
P/ 0 VV- nuS ^owing to the amount of crude opium delivered at the godovns °f
the f inance Department haying been 18 per cent, more than the 1931 figures. No
smuggling from other provinces was reported during the vear and the amount of
contraband opium confiscated in the province was less than half of the previous
figures. 1 he number of opium addicts has decidedly increased.
^ af : onn l Bank of Persia ,—Herr Meyer remained in charge as Manager of
trie National Bank of Persia throughout the vear assisted by a Persian
Accountant.. In the beginning of Sentember, following Herr Vogel’s incident
ne looks ol toe Bank were examined in Kerman by the then acting Provincial