Page 501 - PERSIAN 2B 1883_1890_Neat

RESIDENCY AND MUSCAT POLITICAL AGENCY FOR 1887-88. 88

'mportatione of French sugar, nnd the agent of the Russian firm of Marseilles at Bander Abboa
lias closed his office. Tho importation of sugar from Germany has been discontinued.
In the two previous years a decline in the trade in copper was noticed. A Syndicate
in London having established a u corner ** in this article,
Metals.
prices in Europe and other parts of the world have been sent
up to a remarkable degree, and of course this has affected the Persian trade. Owing, however, to
large stocks on hand in Persia, prices did not advance to a corresponding extent with those in
Europe, and sheet* of copper have actually been re-shipped from Bushiro to Bombay and London.
Persian dealers doubt the durability of the Syndicate, and hesitate to speculate until the stocko
of copper in Persia have been disposed of, benco the failure to force up prices in Persia to
the level ruling in Europe-
Owing to scarcity and dearness of grain, there has been a
Rioc.
larger importation of rice from India than usual.
Shipping.
The number of steamers for Persian ports was unnsually small. Owing to there being no
exportation of grain, the regular vessels plying sufficed for general trade, and few other
steamers would have called at Persian ports but for the demand at Busrah on account of the
date business there. Pilgrims also were less numerous than usual, probably owing to distress
from depression of trade; but a large proportion weut overland, instead of. by 6ea. Freights
were fairly good and steady.
Erchange.
Exchange, on the whole, ruled lower than in 1886, fluctuating between 88$ brans and 35$
krans per £ sterling. The value of the kran in relation to the rupee has improved. The
value cf rupees averaged under 245 per cent., a less rale than in the preceding year. This is
thought to be due to the Herat krans having been sent out of the country.
Custom*.
The MoleV Et Toojjar of Busbire farmed the customs of Shiraz, Bushire, Lingab, and
Bunder Abbas with the district revenues of the last two places for the year 1887-88 at krans
21,50,000. These were sublet as follows
Ersu.
Shim customs 2.80,000
Bushire . . . 8.00,000
Ling&h . • 1,10,000
E-maw Abbn . . 6.00.000
Districts cf Liogah 90,000
Bonder Abbas 2,50,000
Torsi. . 2U(*000
The trade daring the year having fallen off, as already explained, mash lues'has Owan
suffered by those who engaged in these speculations.
In connection with the trade between India and Persia conducted through BossLar Ahbaa,.
I subjoin 6orae interesting notes famished to me by Lieutenant H. B. Vaughan, 7th iLariimaii^
Bengal Infantry, dated Yezd, 3rd March 1888. The advantage which wocj& usstojs. tbp
British commerce from the establishment of an agent at Yezd to protect Brits&fc annuuorrihil
interests at that centre, is urged with justice by Lieutenant Vaughan, and has been ’nfieuxafi
te in previous reports
“Since the introduction of the Telegraph and Poet -Office "Yesdlhas
become aa important centre of trade, its population, inclusive -df 'ria-
j scent suburbs, bawj about 100,000.
„3?C fpverwLeat of the district is farmed out for 250,000 tomans, and the customs for 47,000.
Tt»e imports we Indian goods, as well as English, of all descriptions, amongst which are yarns, piece-
Imports. goods, prints, sugar, sugar refined, copper aheeta, thin slabs, lead, iron,
condiments, chiniware, glassware, spices, green tea, Indian tea, and
Singapore tea.

“The exports of Yexd are opium, cotton wool, madder root, cummin
seeds, almonds, walnuts, pistachio-ants, Ac.
S