'Administration Report of the Persian Gulf for the year 1932' [‎561r] (25/72)

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6. His Imperial Majesty visited Shiraz on October 28th and remained until
November 2nd. He appeared very mistrustful of the Shirazis, mounted his own
guard in the Arg and went out very rarely. Pie treated every one—particularly
the merchants—in a very cavalier manner. His visit added to the fear he inspires,
but certainly in no way enhanced his popularity. He did his best to find fault
with the troops but actually could discover little to criticise. It had been
rumoured that II. 1. M. intended to visit the town of Tol-i-Khosro which lie had
caused to be built but the visit was not carried out, due it was said to apprehen
sions as to the attitude of the Boir Ahmedi tribe in that region.
7. Municipal services did not launch out into new projects in 1932. One extra
Khaiban was completed, a few more streets were electrically lit. By the end of
the year—accelerated undoubtedly by the Shah’s visit—Shiraz presented an
appearance of orderliness and completeness few other Persian towns can equal.
A great deal of new building took place during the year—a form of investment to
which merchants here frequently turn in bad trading times—and the favoured
side of the city was the western side. The Indo-European Telegraph Department
property was sold in the first half of the year, not to the opium monopoly depart
ment who were once in the field as possible buyers, but by a little known merchant.
The roads in and around Shiraz were well maintained and the stretch Shiraz to
Abadeh was so good as to evoke favourable comment from the Shah.
The excavations at Persepolis financed by the Oriental Institute (a branch
of the University of Chicago) continued under the guidance of Professor Herz-
feld and a number of important finds were made including a very fine stairway in
excellent preservation.
The health of the town was good throughout the year. There were no serious
epidemics although the standard of life of the poorer classes was still further
reduced and many evidences of extreme poverty were to be seen. The building
of the Church Missionary Society new hospital went on and in spite of a fire
which destroyed the roof in May and caused about 300 pounds damage was prac
tically completed by the end of the year.
8. The effect of the cancellation of the D’Arcy Concession in Shiraz is worth
mentioning. In general the population here seems to be friendly disposed to the
British ; it is certain that the demonstrations of joy over the “ deliverance ” of
Persia were enforced by Government officials. An atmosphere of antagonism
was engendered and for a short time there was a very definite avoidance of contact
with British residents by all Persians. This attitude, however, changed after
■about a month ami by Christmas normal friendly relations were resumed. Al
though at Christmas cards were left by a number of officials it is impossible for
British officials here to enter into friendly relations with any but the Governor
General. Until the visit of the Shah the Head of the Finance Department was
extremely friendly with all foreign residents but since then has “ dropped ” them
completely.
9. Trading conditions were poor throughout the year. The opium trade was
practically at a standstill ; the guns, hides and carpets fetched very low prices in
foreign markets and as a result of the inflated export to meet the requirements,
of the Trade Monopoly Law demand declined as the year advanced. The chief
change in the character of trade has been the loss of ground by the Russians in
Ihe face of Japanese competition ; relatively the English share of the piece-good^
market did nor alter very much, but fell off in volume. “ Luxury ” goods of any
sort have practically disappeared from the Shiraz bazaar and are not being re
placed. Towards the end of the year the “ deadness ” of the bazaar was very
obvious : casual visitors were struck by the emptiness of them and the forlorn
look of the neglected shops.
After the criticism of the Shah efforts were made to float a company for
working a cotton spinning and weaving mill. Some progress was made but by
the close of 1932 it was still doubtful whether the project would materialise in
spite of heavy pressure from the Governor General.
10. The school connected with the Church Missionary Society, although a
primary school, continued open. The principal Miss Gerrard, assumed Persian
nationality and is having the school registered as a Persian school. Its connec
tion with the Church Missionary Society, never very strong, has'now practically
vanished.
The cinemas of Shiraz once swelled to four in number during the summer of
1932, but two failed ; the quality of films shown remained very poor. Men and
women except in the “ boxes ” were still segregated.