The fine was not paid, on which a charge of contumacy was made, and this was punished by the cruel bastinado and imprisonment.

The Telegraph-master, notwithstanding the fact of the Governor being a near relative of the late Shah, reported the circumstance in all its details.

The telegraph enabled the Shah to make his presence felt in distant places, as well as his power, for he was in the habit of occasionally summoning a Governor to the office at the other end of the wire, to hear his commands spoken on the spot.

In this instance the Shah, after personal inquiry, ordered the release of the prisoner, and on being informed some days later that this had not been done, the Telegraph-master was directed to take the telegraphic royal command to the prison, and see it instantly obeyed.
The official carried out his instructions, and the guards at once set the prisoner free.
The system of farming out the provinces gives rise to much grumbling, which perhaps, on close examination, may be found to be without full reason.

The real cause of complaint is the absence of fair fixed taxation demands.