'Report on the Nushki, Chagai and Western Sinjerani Districts for the year 1897-98 and on the Development of The Quetta-Seistan [Sistan] Trade Route' [‎14r] (27/148)

23
place midway between Amir Cliali and Manzil, still remains without wells
From the volcamc group of mountains known as the Koh-i-Sultan a -lacis’
composed for the most part of massed sand, slopes sharply north from the foot
oi the lulls towards the Helmand. The caravan route cuts this daman midway
between the hills and the desert level, and so water can only be found by sink
mg deep shafts. I was camped at Sorreg from the 2nd to J 1th February* 1898
inclusive, working by shifts night and day, endeavouring to reach water but
without success. Our work was first arrested at a depth of 30 feet by the
sandy sides caving m; this was rectified : again, at a depth of 67 feet ‘when
moist sand was reached, a similar contretemps occurred. After exhausting
every expedient I could think of to overcome the difficulty, I was compelled to
discontinue the work. Ihe determination to do so was received with universal
regret, as all, down to the most humble members of my office establishment
had worked with a will during the time we remained camped in this desolate
spot. It was clear, however, that to continue the work longer was impossible
as, m addition to the difficulties inherent to conveying water from wells 22
miles from camp, I was unprepared to face the risk to life and limb involved
in continuing the shaft workings longer. If funds allow, [ expect to be able
to complete this well before the opening of the next caravan season, as our
efforts were only unsuccessful owing to the want of proper shoring appliances.
15 The question has sometimes been put tome as to why I did not carry
the road direct from Nushki to Chagai, and thus effect a saving of two marches
ihe answer to this question is that although by doing so' a saving of two
marches would undoubtedly have been effected, still the advantage thus gained
would have been neutralised by the extra two marches involved in makin- a
detour to the south via Merui. The country between Chagai and Manzil is%o
hilly and so intersected by ravines and nullahs that it is out of the question
for any road to bug the foot of the Chagai-Sarlat bills. This fact is not
clearly shown m the map, but this is only one of the several instances where
the map is at fault and requires rectifying. No portion of that stretch of
country between the Chappar bills and Amuri has hitherto been surveyed
J his same remark equally applies to that portion of the district adjoining the
lersmn Iron tier. I would recommend that a survey party, under a competent
omcei, be attached to my camp next cold weather to carry out a portion of the
more important surveys. The risk of leaving any portion of the Persian front
ier unsurveyed is too apparent to need enlarging‘on here.
16 One of the most serious difficulties witli which I have had to contend
during the year under review has been the question of supplies. Mv posts are
scattered along a road which passes through the most barren and desolate part
ot 13 iluchistan, and on which no supplies are anywhere obtainable. All the
supplies that my thanas and posts consume, with the sole exception of the
Robat post, are drawn from Nushki, a distance of 132, 180, 277 miles, respect-
i\e!y . I am of opinion that, to overcome the difficulty of supplies, a difficulty
on which the further development of the route hinges* the small shops which
the Government grant sanctioned in the letter
marginally ■ cited enabled me to establish at Dal-
bandiu, Merui and Amir Chah should be enlarged
and financed, and more commodious buildings
erected. It is not too much to say that, without the
assistance of these shops, neither traveller nor cara-
A i l<lV ? b asse( ^ along the trade route. My experience shows that a shop
< -n >.is ied at Amir (.hah,and conducted on proper bush ess principles, would
enable me to draw my supplies from Garmsel, instead of from Nushki, and thus
materially cheapen the cost of necessaries. Amir Chah, which is only four
marches distant from the fertile wheat fields of the Helmand, is the point
o June ion w icre four separate roads converge, and commands the only
watered road from Mashkel to the Helmand. This post is one of the—if not the—
most important points on the caravan route. The question of supply-shops is a
piessmg one, and one that I respectfully submit for the early decision of
vermin n . irade will naturally not patronise a route along winch supplies
are unobtainable, and on which the carriage of the necessaries of life absorbs a
ll o i peieentage of the profits. 1 feel confident of my ability to rectify this
* Vitte Foreign Department let
ter No. 915 F., dated 18th Februrav
1898, copy received under Agent
to the (covernor-General’is office
endorsement No. 1240, dated 10th
March 1898.