"تقرير الإدارة عن المقيمية السياسية في الخليج الفارسي للأعوام ١٩١٥-١٩١٩" [و‎‎١‎٢‎٦] (٣٩٦/٢٥٨)

FOB THE YEAE 1918.
17
The Bandar Abbas-Kerman Eoad was not completed at tlie close of the
Bandar ibbas -KermaD Eoad. re P 0r , ts received by His
Majesty s Represemative, the prospects of
seeing the completion before the ensuing summer unfortunately seemed
extremely remote.
The pier had not been completed at the end of the year under review,
Naiband pier. though very substantial progress had been
made. Unfortunately the site selected
for it does not appear to have been the best, owing to scarcity of water even at
high tides, due to the shelving nature of the beach.
Twenty -seven slaves applied for manumission during the year. Out of this
slave8 number 21 were manumitted. One was
transferred to Vice-Consul, Lingah, for
ceoessary action, being from his district. One was returned to his owner.
Three absconded after applying for manumission and one case was still pending
settlement.
The South Persia Eifles (The 1st Ahmed Shahi Infantry) continued to
South Persia Rifle,. ^ efu l work , ^otli in Bandar Abbas
itselr and on the road during the year.
The strength, towards the end of the year was diminishing rather rapidly,
owing to the majority of men, whose time had expired, leaving the force;
besides this, of course, the influenza epidemic made serious ravages on the
various posts throughout the district.
(a) The Hon'ble Major-General Sir P. Z. Cox, G C.I.E., K.C.S.I,
M'sceiianeous * arrived by Hired Transport on the 12th
of August and left the followino: after-
. 0 . _ —
noon.
{b) Brigadier-General Sir Percy Sykes, K.O.I.E., passed through
Bandar Abbas en route for Shiraz in January. He arrived on January the
19th and left for Shiraz on the 3rd of February. Sir Percy Sykes again
visited Bandar Abbas on 2jith December, and left for Bombay on the 29th
idem.
(c) Major-General Gillman, C.S.I., Chief of the General Staff in
Mesopotamia, accompanied by Colonel Davis of the United States Army
arrived here on 28th March.
{d) Commodore David Norris, E.N., arrived on 14th March in H. M S.
" Northbrook ", but did not land owing to his ship having been placed in
quarantine by the ship's Surgeon.
(e) Captain N. P. J. Wilson, C.M.G., Director, Royal Indian Marine,
visited Bandar Abbas on 10th April.
Mr. J. H. Bill, C.I.E., I.C.S., Deputy Political Resident, Persian Gulf,
Visits of Deputy Political Reeident. 0 ° 20th JallUa, T 01
H. M. S. Muza&er
An Epoch making event, was the arrival of the huge Handley Page
Eojal Air Force. Aeroplane, on 6th December, carrying
_ amongst others, Generals Salmond and
Borton of the Royal Air Force.
The Handley Page machine, as it was approaching the town, sweeped
down like a gigantic bird and flew quite low over the town finally alighting
on the landing ground near the Consulate.
The landing was witnessed by the Deputy Governor and all officials and
merchants.
This event caused quite a sensation throughout the District over which
the Handley Page passed, and it is to be hoped that the near future will see
machines permanently stationed here for punitive purposes, as there is no
doubt that their presence alone would have an excellent effect on all trouble
some tribes.
G. A. M un GAYIN,
Assistant 'Resident and His Britannic Majesty's Consul,
Bandar Abbas.