'File 8/46 Staff Officer (Intelligence), Persian Gulf, Intelligence Reports' [‎4r] (7/70)

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Iviir. D.H. Hanna, Vico-H tos irlonfc of the Bahrein Pe troleure
Company, aooonpaniecl "by J&ra Hanna, arrived in Bahrein during
the period under rovie-v 7 . Ivha Hanna presented His R&ghness
the Huler with a new oar on "behalf of his Company.
Ivlr, Andrew ITeilson, Vioe-Prosidant of the Overseas Tahkship
Corporation, paid a short ids it to Bahrein from. Beirut inring
October,
s.o.(i) P.&. visited Khor Kuwai, Basardu, Basra and Abadan
during the period 2nd to PJffch October, 1947*
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®r, R.C. Pitketliloy, Inspector of Adoiralty duel, Abadan,
rosiarnd his appointment in October after a brief holiday in
United Kingdom,
P.C. was' able to meet many of the officials of
A.1.0,0. and was conducted around the island and refinory
by Mr, Stewart, As sis bant to I,Add
Comir. Hayes and S,0.(lj P,C. were entertained to dinner
aboard a Persian Cun-Boat, and the Royal and Persian Ha vies
gave cocktail parties, the former being successful in that
the majority af Amy personnel were in attendance ineluiing
Major Sabefci the Militaiy C-evernor, + Captain Belli in
charge of the Persian Navy at Xhorramshalir and Abadan was
unfortunately in Tehran.
The inactivit y of the Persian Navy appears to have created
a certain apaiiy amongst the Officers and they are keen to
move from ICiorraiaahahr,
(v) . Khorramsliahr continue d to bo the most inpcrtant port for the
irrport and export of cargo, due to the convenience of a
railhead from ICiorramshaiir lea-aing to the hinterland. Early
in the year, there wa* a serious oonjestion in the Customs
of in-coming cargo, owing to the lack cf an all-weather road
to Ahwaz, an insufficiency^ tf rolling stock, the inefficiency
of the railway authorities and the slow clearance of goods
through Customs. As a result the port load to be closed
temporarily. By the end of March the gorges fcion was greatly
relieved and the port was re-opened, Ii-provemontft-are now
being put in hand in the Customs area, whore the yards are
being asphalted and new go downs and sheds are being erected.
The railway to Ahwaz runs sdoi daj^s in the week and, as the
Customs authorities insist on i! passavant n goods for Tehran
being transmitted by rail, a good deal of money is mace on
freight by the railway, which is the main and most convenient
means of transport. Merchants have a good deal *f
difficulties in their dealings with the Customs authorities,
who are out to make as much as they can cut of them and
therefore raise innumerable difficulties when cargoes are
being clears •! or shipped.
(vi) . One Russian Ms rchant Ship of approximately A,800 tens was
berthed at Khcrramshahr and it is reported that Che Captain
had issued many invitations to the Persian Naval and Military-
Authorities to dine etc., but these were declined, perhaps
under orders.
(vii) , There has been no recrucLasconce ef Tudohism in Abadan and wi th
the housing scheme for artisan classes and a 200^,000,000 Rial
plan for water supply, sewage under construction etc,, the
native labourer is for the moment contented.
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