Coll 30/9 'Persian Gulf: Administration Reports 1926-1938' [‎501r] (1006/1028)

Post. —The Provincial Director of Posts, Kerman, invited tenders in
the summer for a biweekly postal service to Ispahan to begin on October
6th, but nothing more has been heard of the idea. A speeding up of the
postal service in that direction is greatly needed.
On the other hand the postal service between Kerman and Duzdab
continues to function with wonderful speed and regularity. Letters take
as many weeks to reach Tehran as they take days to reach Duzdap.
B. Local Government and Politics.
7. Local Officials. Governor-General. —The office was vacant at the
beginning of the year. On February 22nd H. E. Mirza Nizam-ud-Din
Khan Hikmat took over charge. He never settled down in Kerman, and
soon involved himself in difficulties with the Officer Commanding and the
Central Government over the Elections. He left on the 29th April and
was succeeded by H. E. Mirza Taqi Khan who remained in the appoint
ment till the end of the year. He is a pleasant gentleman, but colourless;
he has done nothing in Kerman except make money over the Elections. He
has no standing among the local officials and is quite ineffective.
Finance Department. —Mr. P. J. Fitzsimmons, who remained in
charge of the Finance Department during the year, received material sup
port in his campaign against corruption by the arrival of an Assistant
Mirza Humayun Khan Sayyah in the month of May. Sayyah is reported
to be efficient, energetic and absolutely honest. He and Mr. Fitzsimmons
between them have succeeded in discovering many sources of corruption,
and increasing the Provincial revenues by a considerable amount—possibly
as much as 33 per cent. Employes of the department have been dismissed
or suspended in large numbers; and those that remain, deprived of their
former earnings, are hanging on till the day comes when the American
Director goes and the old regime returns.
Opium. —Mr. Fitzsimmons has waged energetic war against opium
smuggling also, and has delivered some shrewd blows to this tradesome of
his victims being 2 of the newly appointed deputies (!) and a well known
Muitahid of Khabis. If this campaign continues with equal success the
cultivation of opium is bound to decrease. The following interesting figures
which 1 got from Sayyah, illustrate the extent of the smuggling business
in Kerman and the appalling loss which it inflicts on Government revenues;
State revenue for excise opium in Kerman town—20 Tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. a day
at (roughly) kran 1 per misqal. That is 200 misqals pay duty.
Amount of opium actually smoked (or eaten) in Kerman a day
—approximately 12,000 misqals—which would pay duty of
1,200 Tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. a day if not smuggled.
Daily loss to Government in Kerman town alone is therefore anything
in the neighbourhood of Tomans 10,000 Persian dinars, or a gold coin of that value. 1,200 a ddy = say, at least
£200 a day, or £6,000 a month.
^ urvev —Three survey officials arrived from Tehran during the year
to conduct the revenue survey of the Province. They are hard at work and
h ive nearly completed the survey of Kerman town, and Rafsmjan. Large
increases in the Provincial revenues are already anticipated as a result of
hese operations.
Mr Fitzsimmons is personally popular with all classes, hard-working,
accessible, impartial. His attitude towards this Consulate has always been
me of sincere friendliness.
Ka-auzari —Amir Yagana left Kerman on 4th April and was suc-
■eeded as Karguzar early in June by Muayid Huzur. The latter gentle-
nan has proved himself so far to be a decided improvement on Amir Yagana,
leino' more energetic, and less afraid of responsibility. He has been able
o clear off many of the outstanding claims which Yagana had been reluctant
o tackle effectively.