Page 132 - PERSIAN 1 1873_1879 Admin Report1_Neat

30 ADMINISTRATION REPORT OP T1IE PERSIAN GULF POLITICAL RESIDENCY

Oman, the ports of Soor and Sohar import goods from India and the
Gulf independently, and as the enforcement of customs duties is prac­
tically in abeyance at those places, they are gradually drawing away a
good deal of the trade from Muscat.
The chief production of the country and one of the staple foods
of the people are dates, and great losses were suffered this year in con­
sequence of a great portion of the crop being destroyed by heavy and
unseasonable rains. This would have caused great distress had it not
been for the unusual cheapness of grain in Persia and Busrah which
was imported in large quantities.
Rice was also largely imported during the year.
The customs have been farmed for §1,20,000, which is probably
much under the actual receipts.
The exchange has averaged during the year from Rupees 208 to
220.
The importation of slaves into Oman during the official year under
review is believed to have been entirely
Sliwe traffic.
checked, as no slave cargoes are known to
have been landed. This was doubtless the results of the recent slave
Treaty with Zanzibar, and the increased vigilance of Her Majesty’s
cruizers on the East African Station. No slave prizes were brought to
Muscat by Her Majesty’s vessels for adjudication during the year.