'Adminisistration [Administration] Reports 1931-1935' [‎127r] (253/416)

SECTION 3.
Local Administration.
Governor of the Gulf Ports .—His Excellency Muhammad Ali Mirza Rokni
continued as Governor throughout the year.
Assistant Governor, Bushire .—Abdul Shakoor Amin continued as Assistant
Governor and Honorary President of the Municipality throughout the period
under review.
Customs Administration the 13th May, M. Le Fontaine, Provincial
Director, Sou them Customs and M. Vandenrydt, Special Inspector, Southern
Customs, handed over charge of their duties to two of their subordinates and
left Bushire for Iraq ew route for Europe on the termination of their services by
the Iranian Government.
On the 13th May, Muhammad Vali Mirza Nouban arrived here and took
Charge of the Customs Department in which position he remained until the end
of the year.
Customs Preventive Department .—During the year a good deal less zeal
in carrying out their duties was shown by the members of this Department than
during the preceding 12 months.
In February a Committee of Inspectors arrived here from Tehran and
arrested 28 persons suspected of being concerned in smuggling activities. After
investigations lr5 were discharged and the remainder placed in the military
prison where they still were at the end of the year. At the same time a Cir
cular was issued to all Local Government Departments warning officials that the
<dea f h penalty would be inflicted on any of them found guilty of abetting
smugglers. These measures, however, failed to produce any effect and contra
band traffic along the sparsely populated coast between Bushire and Lingah
steadily increased in volume. Emboldened by success a party of Tangistanis
in June attempted in broad daylight to smuggle a quantity of sugar into
a spot within a few miles of Bushire. They w^ere intercepted by Road Guards
and an encourage took place during which the Tangistanis made good their
escape. The total of captures made by the Preventive Department during the
year amounted to some B90 packages of sugar, tea, piece-goods and sundries,
o dhows and 16 rifles.
Inspection of Government Departments.—In February a Commission of
Insoection consisting of 7 officials arrived here from Tehran. They posted a
printed notice in the Town to the effect that complaints received against any
local officials would be investigated. Many letters were sent in but as they were
all anonymous no action "was taken.
The Commission visited Tangistall where they arrested 15 persons compris
ing smugglers, Customs officials and Road Guards, who had been reported to
have been conniving’ at the evasion of the law. A numbei weie found guil y
and sentenced to various terms oi imprisonment.
As a result it would appear of this Commission’s report another Commis
sion of Inspection of 13 officials arrived on the 13th May and immediately began
raiding houses and shops and searching motor lorries for contraband goods
Luggage of travellers arriving at the Customs was rummaged and even mai
l)a<;s for npcotmtry did not escape inspection. The ruthless manner m which
these searches were carried out caused intense resentment amongst all classes
and culminated In one of the Inspectors being attacked and beaten by a mob of
infu rl ated shopkeepers.
The matter was reported to Tehran with the result that the Comms^on
were ordered to confine their activities to the normal methods of detection, the
Commission continued their work until December when the system of s^arate
and independent inspecting bodies was abolished by the Central Government.^
Chamber of Commerce.—The only work carried out by this body during
the year was to^ supervise the distribution of sugar and tea quotas to local
merchants.
Census—A census was carried ■out in the sub-ports m January and m
Bushire in June where a house-to-honse inspection took place. The enquiries.
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