Page 282 - PERSIAN 3 1883_1890

112 ADMINISTRATION RETORT OP TIIE PESSLLX GULP POLITICAL RESIDENCY. ETC, FOR

PART IV.

TRADE.
The statistics of trade for the past year as received from the Muscat Custom-house are
shewn in the accompanying returns. They are merely approximate, as the manner in which
the books are kept by the customs farmer does not admit of accurate details being obtained.
The fanner is, moreover, always averse from giving precise information.
The returns show a decrease of trade compared with the previous year. The chief export
is dates, of which a large quantity’gocs to America, Southern Arabia, and East Africa. The
American date trade was consideiably below the average last season, owing to the New York
markets being overstocked from the previous year. Import trade also shows a decrease.
It is believed that trade in other parts on the Oman coast, such as Soor, Mcsnuah, Sob art,
See., has increased in about the same ratio as it has decreased at Muscat, but no returns have
been received from those port*.

S. B. MILES, Lieutenant-Colonel,
II. li. iV.’f Political Agent and Corunl, Mine fit.

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