File 1749/1921 ‘Persian Gulf:- Residency news summaries 1921-25’ [‎161r] (336/494)

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The condition of the town has been somewhat unsatisfactory during the period
Under report.
His Majesty’s Vice-Consul received information that Mirza Mahmood was
being confined in a small dungeon and was chained by the head and feet at
Shushtar. A telegram was sent to the Governor-General through His Britannic
Majesty’s Consular Agent and the Deputy Governor was approached on the
subject on his return from Mohammerah, but he entirely denied the truth of the
report and promised to settle the case as early as possible and release Mirza
Mahmood and send him to Bushire (vide last month’s Summary).
One of the Deputy Governor’s Kurd sowars was taken prisoner by Char
Lang Bakhtiaris on the Shushtar road near Kounak when returning from Shushtar
to Dizfuh The sowar In the East India Company army and later Indian Army, an ordinary native cavalryman or mounted cavalryman. was eventually released but his rifle and ammunition were
retained by the tribesmen. /
The bridge over the Sabsaud stream has now been completed at a total cost
of Ts. 1,100 including the repair of the road in its vicinity. His Majesty’s Vice-
Consul has been informed by the Deputy Governor that His Excellency the
Shaikh of Mohammerah has agreed to the building of a new bridge over the Shaur
river at Shush and that Qutb-es-Sadat, his Dizful Agent, is making early arrange
ments to hand the sum of Ts. 3,000 required, to the Vice-Consulate, it is hoped
to commence work on this bridge in some three weeks’ time.
Shushtar.
His Excellency the Governor-General accompanied by his Deputy Nasir Quli
Khan and His Majesty’s Consular Agent proceeded on a visit to the Oilfields on
the 8th March. While at the Fields the party were shown the workshops, oil
wells and pumping station at Tembi and appear to have been much impressed
by the cordiality shown them.
Isfahan. (1st — 26th March.)
The Karguzarate has been closed under instructions from Tehran, and no
arrangements have as yet been made for the carrying on the business of that
office. *
There is a good deal of friction between the Governor-General’s office and
that of the military commandant on the question of collecting taxes. The mili
tary absorb all the revenue and post their guards in all Government departments
so that all money due to Government passes through their hands. The Governor
General has, it is understood, received permission from the Central Treasury
Office to draw advances on his pay and allowances locally, but in practice any
money is hard to get as Mir Panj will not part with it.
The indirect taxes have been allocated to the Military and British subjects
are being called upon to pay the ‘ Mustagillat ’ tax on house property owned by
them and rented to Persians. British subjects have not hitherto paid this tax on
their propert)^His Majesty’s Legation has been informed of the demand and
the Financial Agent has been told that the question is being referred to Tehran.
There have been several cases of Europeans being molested by soldiers and
policemen in the Chahar Bagh. The Bank Accountant was even assaulted by
a soldier who has since been arrested.
The Manchester firm of Haji Ali Akbar and Son are trying to form a small
Anglo-Persian Company to start weaving thread and cloth by water-power. A
suitable site for the mill has been found on the bank of the Sendeh Bud about 14
Jarsakhs from the town.
They propose to send out machinery from England.
The new troops are parading regularly and route marching and drill are being
carried out. The recruits are drilled daily on the upper Chahar Bagh.
Amir-i-Lashkar accompanied by Major Bahadur and two other officers left
for Kerman on March 11th in three motor cars. Mir Panj is making a tour of
this part of his district in order to make arrangements for safeguarding the roads
and other military dispositions.