'MILITARY REPORT ON PERSIA. VOL. IV, PART II.' [‎37v] (79/212)

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Store Depots'—At least 25 store houses, situated in the vicj.
nity of the landing stages and of average dimensions, 22 by 20
by 14 feet, would always be obtainable, and sufficient room to
store some 200,000 bags of grain in all could be found. Some
30 40 shops near the water front are nearly always empty
and could be used for storage purposes; average dimensions
25 by 8 by 12 feet. These store houses and shops are well made
of stone and have water-proof roofs.
Corrmnnirations .—In 1917 a small wireless station of the
Indo-European Telegraph Department was established at
Lingeh. It is in charge of two operators, and is situated just
outside the town half a mile due north of the Persian Fort on
the sea-shore. The station is in direct communication with
Henjam Radio.
For further details, see Chapter VIT.
Water .—All sweet water is obtained from large hirleh
the total number of which is 42 dependent on rainfall. The
well water is indifferent. With the addition of pipes, a much
larger area could be made available for water-supply. It
should be noted that the water of the birkehs is only fit to
drinlc if boiled or sterilised. Neglect to do this is the direct
cause of the great prevalence of guineaworm among the in
habitants of the town. Except in the case of a very small
force landed soon after a heavy rainfall, distilling plant would
be advisable.
Population—This at present amounts to 12,000 souls,
chiefly Arabs and Persians with about 800 Negroes locally
known as SldTs, the descendants of slaves. Only Tper cent, of
the fighting men are supposed to have arms, which are
seldom produced except under the incitement of mullahs.
. The y are a degenerate and cowardly race ; incapable of offer
ing resistance to an enemy attacking their town.
Three-quarters of the inhabitants are directly or indirectly
in the pearl trade.
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