"تقارير إدارية ١٩٢٠-١٩٢٤" [ظ‎‎٦‎٢] (٤١٢/١٢٩)

18
ADMINISTRATION REPORT OF THE
Tho Sunni party there have shown a ^reat interest in the fortunes of
the Keinalist cause, and have hold several meetings with the ostensible object,
of raising subscriptions for the support of that movement. Two or three Turks,
said to have been prisoners of war in Inrlia, have been entertained by Salim
Khaja, who was Turkish Vice-Consul at Lingah at the outbreak of war.
Mujliss Election.
Mirza "Mahomed Bagher Dast Ghaib was returned as the member for
Bander Abbas and district. The result of tho election was not announced
until Mirza Abdul Hussain Khan became Deputy Governor, and Mirza
Mahomed Shaft had been dismissed from Minab and had returned to Bandar
Abbas. There is very little doubt that the ballot boxes were tampered with,
and that the result did not reflect the will of the majority of the electors.
South Persia Rifles.
Captain Brannon was in command until August when he was relieved by
Captain Toyne. The disbandment of the local detachment was completed on
30th September, the personnel of road posts and tufangchis having been
previously called in and dismissed, and the local head-quarters were closed down
and saleable effects disposed of shortly afterwards.
The disbandment, including that of an armed party who had marched
down from Kerman, was effected without any untoward incident.
With the disappearance of the South Persia Rifles the protection of the
district and the roads depends upon the Deputy Governor's force of about 30
tufangchis and upon such armed men as local Katkhudas can muster.
A section of the Bandar Abbas inhabitants expressed their gratification at
the news of the impending disbandment, and the event was celebrated by a
dinner given by Sadid-us-Sultaneh. at which the Deputy Governor (Mirza
Abdul Hussain Khan) and most of the officials were present and at which
anti-British speeches were made.
Slave Traffic.
Bandar Eleven slaves came to the Consulate and one received a
Manumission Certificate during the year, the remainder going to Sharjah or
disappearing before their cases were settled.
Zingah. —One slave applied for manumission, but the case is not yet
settled.
British Interests.
Anglo' Tertian Oil Company tcells at Sallak. —Mr. H. TT. Hole continued
to act as Manager on Qishm Island throughout the year.
The depth reached at the end of the year was 3,056 feat. At 3,040 feet a
slight shew oil was struck, which may indicate a main shew at a greater depth.
In attempting to widen the hole a series of accidents occurred, which at one
time seemed likely to necessitate the abandonment of the well, but there now
appears to be some prospect of overcoming the obstacles which are impeding
progress. The well is still in what at Maidan-i-Naphti is the petroliferous
•eries, and this fact in conjunction with the discovery of shew oil gives ground
for anticipating that the Island will prove a producing field.
Changes in the drilling staff have again been frequent owing to illness,
and at the^ end of the vear the complement was one driller only. Other
causes which have retarded progress, have been shortage of fuel, breakages of
tools, and the distance from the base of supplies.