Page 549 - PERSIAN 1 1873_1879 Admin Report1_Neat

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RESIDENCY AND MUSKAT POLITICAL AQENCY FOil 1373-70.
The object in 60 packing in eases, as regards weight, is that tho
contents, after tho deficiency caused by drying up in course of transit,
which is calculated at from 6 to 10 per cent., may realise at destination,
China, one “ picul,” which is about 135 lbs. Another reason is, that tho
weight is arranged for conveyance of carriago by pack animals, generally
mules, employed in these regions. # #
About lbs. of the produce of opium prepared in Persia are intended
for China. ° The drug suitable for that market, being required to be fiuo
and prepared with oil, and not rich in morphia, permits its beiug swelled up
with foreign substance, and thus being, as far as practicable, adulterated
to the extent to preclude discovery by the modes of testing or “ touching ”
used in China.
It is said that pure and superior opium, though not so finely manipu­
lated, has been rejected in China, while the fine opium containing admix­
tures h.as found favour and fair market.
The preparations made for the China marts, being, say, of a quality
of 80 “touch” (containing 80 per cent, pure juice and 20 per cent,
foreign substance) yield from 9 to 10 per cent, morphia.
The preparations for England which have recently been specially
made pure, and which have come into favour in Europe and America, have,
it is said, yielded morphia averaging about 12 per cent.
The average price for fair quality of opium suited for the China
market has been for the last two years about Its. 950 per chest; and for
the special preparations for England, about 100 rupees more.
To these are added the charges of transit and other contingent ex­
penses, from the place of product to the port of shipment, amounting to
about Its. 30; and further a custom and octroi or other duty of about
20 rupees payable by a Persian, or 5 per cent, ad-valorem by a British or
other foreign merchant.
(Sd.) G. LUCAS,
Uncovenanted Assistant to the Political Resident,
\
Persian Gulf Bush:re.

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