'Administration Report of the Persian Gulf for the Year 1938' [‎8r] (15/60)

3
authorities issued wheat at the rate of 3 kilos a person every other day. Un
fortunately a large number of people were unable to obtain even this small
quantity and as a result a considerable amount of wheat was smuggled into
the town.
Smuggling of Contraband goods. —Owing to the continued smuggling of
Japanese piecegoods the Iranian Government deputed an official from Tehran
to take over local stocks from the Bushire Company. These stocks were
retailed at a comparatively low price to the local inhabitants. Quantities of
piecegoods were also sent to towns in the Bushire hinterland. This action
by the Iranian Government had the effect of stopping the smuggling of
piecegoods into Bushire, but Japanese artificial silk still continued to be
brought in by smuggling.
The local Customs Preventive Department have succeeded in seizing
various consignments of smuggled goods and they have also arranged for the
deportation of some 20 persons who were known to be professional smugglers.
These persons have been sent to towns in the interior.
Tobacco Monopoly. —The Bushire Tobacco Monopoly continued to
make a 100 per cent, profit on their purchases of local stocks.
Fisling Industry. —Dr. H. Blegvad, the Danish marine biologist, who has
been working for the Iranian Government has completed his enquiries and
has submitted a scheme for the construction of two factories, one at Bushire
and the other at Bandar Abbas. The Bushire factory An East India Company trading post. is designed to deal
with " fillets " and the Bandar Abbas Factory An East India Company trading post. langousts, anchovis and the
sardines. Dr. Blegvad appeared to be greatly satisfied over the result of his
investigation.
Roads and Communications.
1. Bushire-Shir ax Road. —In spite of being repaired twice during the year
this road was impassable for over a fortnight during the winter.
2. Bushire-Firuzahad Road. —Work on this road has been very slow and
by the end of the year the road was still incomplete.
Land Registration.
The Land Registration Department was opened in June. The registra
tion of property in Bushire and the surrounding districts was proceeded with.
Presumably, in order to increase revenue property has been valued above
market value.
Revenue.
As it was found impracticable for one Director to administer two depart
ments the Revenue Department has been removed from the control of the
Director of the Southern Customs.
Education.
A new Education and Waqf Department, the constitution of which was
commenced in 1937 is still incomplete.
Bushire Municipality.
The Municipality have undertaken a five-year plan and propose during
that period to build and maintain a lazaretto, to construct a public park and
to improve road communications in the town. They have raised their budget
to Rials 30,000 a month and are maintaining a sanitary staff of 70 persons.
A small infirmary, with accommodation for 8 inpatients under the supervision
of a local doctor, has been maintained and in addition the Municipality have
made provision for lunatics and for some twenty lepers. The Municipality's
efforts to ensure a regular and sufficient supply of electricity and ice were
successful. •
23(s) e \.d