File 299/1918 Pt 2 'Persia - policy; Shiraz situation; Bushire operations' [‎16v] (37/605)

notoriously bad character and was deported by us during the War. At all
events since this occurrence there has been no further trouble at Charbar. The
Deputy Political Resident A senior ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul General) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Residency. proceeds shortly to Charbar to investigate the whole
matter.
3. Training —Owing to the peac^fiff conditions in the country it
has been possible to continue training and musketry regularly throughout
the hot weather. There has been little crime in thePoree and the disc ipline of
all units has been very good.
4. Railway. —Work has been continued on the railway with a view to
render it proof against the interruptions which were so frequent in the rains of
1918-19, just ^tter the line was laid.
A cement bridge has been built at .Ahmadi and the line raised throughout
to a height which will, it is hoped, enable it to be proof against any serious
interruption during the winter.
A new station, with goods sidings, is being built close to the New Customs
in Bushire.
The railway was first opened to civil traffic on the 1st May, since which
date the takings from goods and passenger traffic have averaged Krans 40,000
monthly.
There seems to be every prospect of the railway being a paying concern?
even after the present military traffic is withdrawn. The up-to-date receipts
from civil traffic would have been considerably larger but for the usual difficul
ties connected with the institution of any novel undertaking in a country like
Persia. It is hoped, however, that these difficulties are being gradually over
come.
The extension of the railway line to Daliki (13 miles on) its original desti
nation, wmuld undoutedly increase its *popularity. A survey for this extension
is now completed. The material is in hand, and labour w ill be available by
the end of the year.
5. Sale of Animals. —The sale of cast mules and horses, whose reshipment
to India was not worth the expense, proved extraordinarily remunerative. A
sum of nearly Es. 3^ lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees was realised-.
6. Soda water machines .—The soda water machines, which have been
supplied to the Porce, have paid their way handsomely. Mineral waters are
supplied free to hospitals and at a small charge to troops. The .net profit at
Bushire alone for the first nine months exceeded Es. 10,000. Soda water
machines are also installed at Kazarun and Shiraz. It is therefore clear that
soda water machines, which are a great boon to the troops on service can be
supplied at no cost to Government.
7. Water. Up to the end of July 1919 a large supply of fresh water was
imported at great expense from India to supplement the supply of condensed
water, which is insufficient for drinking, railway and other requirements at
Bushire. Prom the 1st August the supply was stopped, water being brought
dow A term adopted by British officials to refer to local sailing vessels in the western Indian Ocean. n by train from Borasjun. &
The problem of water in Bushire is always difficult, as the local supply is
very brackish. On the other hand, condensing w r ater is expensive The con
densers at Eushire produce about 10,000 gallons a day with an expenditure of 5
tons of coal, It is a question whether, if troops are kept at Bushire, it would
be cheaper to substitute oil fuel for coal in the condensers or to import more
w^ater by tram from Borasjun and only use the condensers in case of emer
gency. - cmci.
, S.Aeradromes.—An aerodrome, 1,000 yards square, has now been completed
at Bushire, Hanaars are nearly completed to replace the old temporary
hangars. These latter are situated in the centre of the aerodrome and will be
knocked down as soon as.the other hangars are finished.
The aerodreme at Kazarun was much improved during the summer and
a new aerodrome at Khurmuj has been made. B ’
9. Suri'eys.—The Survey party carried out work throughout the summer
in the neighbourhood of Shiraz. Most of the country within reach has now
been carefully mapped. Work is still in progress. ' on has now