'Lord Curzon's Notes on Persia' [‎682r] (1365/1386)

11
the Officiating Director. The new quarters are reported to be commodious and
well adapted for the purpose for which they are required.
57. Wilful damage.—There were 86 acts of wilful damage committed in 1889-
90, showing an increase of 126'3 per cent. This increase is attributed to the larger
use of white porcelain insulators, which are electrically far superior to the iron
hooded insulators but offer greater attractions to the Persians as targets for test
ing the efficiency of their guns or their skill in throwing stones. The advisability
of continuing the use of white porcelain insulators is under consideration. A sum
of 4,740 krans was received from the Persian Government in compensation for
the damage, of which 2,490 krans were paid by the local Governors of Districts,
the balance, 2,250 krans, being recovered through the agency An office of the East India Company and, later, of the British Raj, headed by an agent. of Her Britannic
Majesty’s Legation at Tehran.
58. Interruptions.—The principal interruptions during the year were (1) a
flood in the Kinarigird Hills, causing a stoppage for nearly 16 hours on the nights
of the 27th and 28th May 1889, and (2) wilful damage interrupting communica
tion for seven hours on the 19th March 1890.
59 The following is a table showing the duration of interruptions from all
causes for the past four years :—
On 1 wire.
On 2 wires.
On 3 wires.
H. M.
H. M.
H.
M.
1886-87
636 56
129 1
59
23
1887-88
’ 342 32
5° 32
8
55
1888-89
603 39
27 44
50
46
1889-90
429 36
96 4
22
58
Birds and camels continue to be sources of
ference with communication.
annoyance and causes of inter-
60. Traffic.—Traffic was interrupted for 15 hours 53 minutes in May 1889 and
for 7 hours 5 minutes in March 1890, making a total of 22 hours 58 minutes during
the whole year during which traffic was totally stopped. For purposes of the joint
purse agreement an interruption is only taken into account if the traffic is totally
interrupted for 24 hours ; but neither of the above reached this limit. Ap
pendix M is a statement showing the average rate of transmission of mes
sages between Tehran and Bushire, and vice versa Appendix N shows the
number of messages transmitted over the Persian Section. This shows a dec
rease of 88,222 words since the previous year, which, however, is entirely due to the
Eastern Company’s cables working throughout the year 1889-90, without inter
ruption, thus rendering it unnecessary to divert any messages to the Indo-
European route.
The ordinary traffic arrangements remained unchanged during the year.
61. Persian authorities.—Friendly relations have been maintained with the
local authorities and the inhabitants. Two cases of theft are reported and one
case of an attack on a Gholam. None of these are deemed of any importance, and
full compensation has been paid in each case to the aggrieved parties.
MESHED LINE.
62. Line maintenance and repairs.—1,400 new poles have been erected on
this line.
63. Interruptions.—The interruptions, due to all causes, amounted to 1,994!
hours in the year, of which those due to wilful damage, aggregated 100 hours 30
minutes. Damage by camels accounts for 136 hours.
64. Finance.—A sum of 11,736 krans was received from the Persian Govern
ment for the payment of the Gholams employed on the Meshed Line, and
monetary aid for the purchase of line stores and instruments, required for the
improvement of the working of the line, has been promised.
65. inspection.—A detailed inspection of the line was made by the Officiating
Director in December 1889 and January 1890, which resulted in proposals for the
improvement of the line, to which proposals His Excellency the Mukhber-ed-
Dowleh, C.I.E., has acceded.