'GAZETTEER OF PERSIA. VOLUME I' [‎281r] (578/820)

MES—MES
539
3 Y 2
of some 30 Russian emplo} T es, and the operations of the Bank are conduct-
g(j more with a view to eventual political and financial influence than to
immediate commercial success. A characteristic of its business is the
granting of loans to influential native customers on exceptionally favour
able terms and slender security.
Russian trade in Khorasan is chiefly by two companies, both of which
advance money to merchants at 8 per cent, on goods carried by their firms
Of these the principal is the Bureau de Transport de Perse which acta
for the Kavkaz and Merkuri Company, the Russian Transport Company
and the Oriental Transpo t Company. The affairs of this Bureau are in
a flourishing condition.
The second company, the Nejejde, is from all accounts doing but little
business at the present time.
Messrs. Nobel and Company have recently built and stocked a warehouse
for petroleum.
A list of the principal Persian and Afghan merchants trading at Meshed
is given below :—
(1) Hap ’Abdul Husain, Tehran!. Exports opium to India and imports
piece-goods to a small extent.
(2) Aqa Raza, Rais-ut-Tupar. Joint lessee with the Mu’avin-ut-
Tujjar in the working of the Nishapur turquoise mines, and a
large landed proprietor.
(3) Haji Muhammad Bagha Razaiev. Trading in waste silk, tea, and rice
with a small carpet trade to Tiflis.
(4) Hap Abdul Husain Zavaar.
(5) Hap Mirza Muhammad Karbassi. A Yazd merchant trading
in opium with Bombay.
(6) Haji Muhammad Kazim Yazdi, Rukn-ut-Tujjar. Imports tea
from India and goods from Yazd, and is a large landed proprie
tor.
(7) Haji Abdul Ghassim Tehranchi, Mughazeh. Owns shops and
bazars in various places.
(8) Haji Muhammed Taqi Darudi. A large sugar importer.
There are three Afghan brothers, Haji Muhammad Hasan, Mu’avin-ut-
Tujjar, Haji’Ali Akbar, and Haji Abdurrahim,
g an angers are general bankers to the Government
officials and merchants. They own much land and house property and a
share in the working of the Nishapur mines.
A telephonic installation in the city has been commenced on the initia
tive of a native firm, and the scheme seems to have a fair prospect of success.
Agricultural produce from the surrounding district is sufficient for the
needs of the city. Wheat and barley are the
Produce and supplies. principal cereals grown, and chaff, or kah, and
lucerne are used for fodder.