Page 411 - PERSIAN 2B 1883_1890_Neat

RESIDENCY AND MUSCAT POLITICAL AGENCY FOR 1885-80, 115

of tho “chao** of the several miskals lo each other at the prosuut time, faking R25 as the value
of one Bomba/ “ cliao ** is commonly stated as follows
R
1 Katr Chao = 125
1 Bahrein „ =100
1 Bombay ,, = 25
1 Poona n = 22^
These relative values of the several “chao ** may perhaps be nearly the true average pro­
portion for pearls of all weights converted into tho equivalent nominal weights of the respective
standards, but I think that the proportionate value which ought to bo assigned to the Arab
^chao” should be somewhat greater. For, taking, e.g., a pearl weighing 74- grains English
=one Bombay miskal =330 chao at R25 per “chao ** = 118,250 for the pearl. The same
pearl (as shown in the preceding paragraph) weighed by Katr weights =27$ habbah = 60
chao 24 dokra 90 mezoor at ft 125 per “chao ** =R7,031; and if the usual stated proportion
(which is really true if certain weights are used) of 26 habbah = one Bombay miskal is taken,
then the same pearl = only R6,4<00, from which it will be seen that if the Indian merchant
feels sure that he can sell the pearl he is bargaining for, at 1125 per Bombay “cliao/* he will
be very safe in paying at tho above relstivo prices per “ chao," calculated from the Arab
weights for such pearl. (jVo/e.-—Pearls of tho value of R25 per Bombay “ chao** are of very
fine quality.)
10. It has been before mentioned that brass sieves with holes bored in them of various
sizes, the holes in each sieve being of the same size in that particular sieve, are used to
separate the pearls into parcels of the same sized pearls in each separate parcel. Each pearl
merchant usually possesses a nest of such sieves, and a nest generally consists of 24- sieves,
the holes in the sieves of one nest, however, do not always correspond in size with the holes
in the sieves of another nest, but besides these sieves each pearl dealer has three others, the
holes of each of which are supposed to be of the same size as those in every other dealer’6 set
of three, and it is through the medium of these three sieves that the largest portion of the
pearls fished up are bought direct from the master of a boat which has made a haul, into
whose charge all th* pearls fished up are given by the divers for disposal. Pearls just unable
to pass through the holes of the largest of these three sieves are called “ Has,” those just
unable to pass through the second sieve are called “Batin/' and those which come into or
pass through the third sieve are called “Dzel.” The “ Ras/* “Batin/* and “Dzel**ofa
haul are, when put into the market by the master of a pearl-fishing boat, inseparable as
articles for sale. They are sold, in the lump, by the mashad rniskal, and its sub-divisions
(daniks), at the current market rate of the “tuman” (vide para. 4). For instance, if the
master of a pearl-fishing boat has a parcel of pearls of nil sizes and qualities, he will first take
out all the pearls above the size of “ Ras ** which he will sell by tho “ chao '* of one or
other of the standard raiskal weights; he will also take out some of the best quality pearls
of the “ Ras ** and “ Batin ** sizes for sale by the “ cliao ;** the remainder he will sell in a lump
by one or other of the mashad miskal weights. To explain the use of the mashad miskal,
we will suppose that the pearls to be sold in the lump by the inashad miskal, weigh 40
mashad miskals, that of these 4 miskals weight remain in the “Ras** sieve, 10 miskala
weight in the “ Batin ” sieve, and 20 miskals remain in or pass through the “ Dzel** sieve.
We will also suppose that the current market price of pearls of the average quality contained
in these 40 miskals is RG00 per “tuman” (= 100 mahomedees, vide para. 4); now the
invariable rate per mashad miskal
of “ Ras ** pearls is 200 mahomedees
of “Batin** „ is 100
M
of “Dzel** „ if 25 >1
therefore in the parcel above described we have
4 miskals of 200 mahomedeof = R4,8u0 @ R0OO per tuman of 100 mahomedeee
10 100 = „0,OUO
it it it it it
20 25 = „ 3,900
it >» tt tt n
Total „ 14,700 = price of parcel of pearl* weighing 40
mash ad miskala as above suppoaod.