Page 687 - PERSIAN 4 1899_1905

BE8IDENCY AND MA8XAT POLITICAL AGENCY FOR THE YEAR 190i*19<A 14§

Arrangements for landing and storing cargo are still unsatisfactory,
though thefts from lighters have ceased, and the warehousing of goods has been
slightly improved.
The want of a telegraph station has been referred to in many previous
Toicrmph. report* and the port is still without one.
A station was opened at Ben jam Island
in April of last year, but as it is 50 miles or a two days* journey distant, it is
of little real use to the trading community. This station has, however, been
used considerably, a fact which only the more plainly shows how much one
in Bunder Abbas itself would be appreciated.
The roads to Kerman and Yezd do not merit the name, and no improve-
Trtnuport inland. nicnts have taken plaoe in them. The
rates for carnage are now compara­
tively low being to Yezd per 1,400 lbs., 24 tomans (=£41-1) and to Kerman-
per 700 lbs., 71 to 8 tomans (=25a. 4d. to 27a. 8cf.). The rates during the hot
months, June to September, were slightly higher than the above.
The transport is by camel or donkey, a fact which merchants will find
worth remembering when packing goods to be forwarded to the interior with­
out breaking bulk at this port.
The rate of exchange at present is 4 krans to the rupee. Owing to thd
absence of a bank there is no demand for
Exchange.
sovereigns and consequently no separate
rate of exchange for gold can be quoted. The above rate works out to 60
krans to the sovereign.
The movement of specie has been a6 follows nearly all to and from India:
Specie. Imported £26,498 against £22,084 for
last year, a rise of nearlv 20 per cent.;
exported £17,090 as against £19,055 for last year, a fall of 10-3 per cent.
Freights during 1904 remained much the same as quoted in last year’s
Frci ht8 report, vis., £1-5 for gum, etc., and £1-
16-6 for carpets and valuable artioles per
ton to London; 10 to 12 shillings per ton to Bombay.
Since January 1905, however, the above rates to London have risen to
£1-7-6 for gum and fallen to £1-14-0 for carpets and valuable goods.
Two hundred and fourteen vessels, steam and sailing, entered and cleared
Shipping. the port which is 43 less than last year, or
a fall of 16*7 per cent. No vessels either
entered or cleared in ballast.

W. H. I. SHAKE8PEAB, Lieut,
Hia Britannic Majesty* s Consult
Bunder Abbas