Page 54 - Gulf Precis(VIII)_Neat

PART II—CHAPTER XII.
3^
subjoined items do not over-estimate the export and import trade with mis­
cellaneous ports:—
Rs.
Malabar Coast ••• ... «>• 10.00. 000
Kutch and Kattiawar 10,00,000
Jeddaand Red Sea ... ... ... ... 12.00. 000
Opium Trade with China, 2,500 chests at Rs. i,2oo per
chest of 136 lbs. ••1 30.00. 000
Average annual value of Pearl Trade 75.00. 000
Trade with Busrch, Bagdad, and Mesopotamian line in
general ... 3,00,000
Trade with Zanzibar and African Coast ... 3.00. 000
Trade with Mauritius—irregular ... 4.00. 000
Trade with England and America in square-rigged vessels
unknown, but unquestionably above 20,00,000
Trade with Java 20,00,000

Total 1,87,00,000

11. Thus the gross total of the export and import trade passing up and
down the Gulfs of Persia and Oman appear to have totalled Rs. 5,83,55,796,
or nearly 6,000,000 sterling, exclusive of the trade carried on in small coasting
craft.
1 a. As affording a more detailed insight into the character of trade, I
beg to append some very carefully-prepared Statements (F) with which I have
been favoured by the firm of Messrs. Gray, Paul and Co., the Agents for the
B. I. S. N. Company at Bushire. In forwarding these statements to me Mr.
George McKenzie of the same firm has favoured me with the following
remarks
" l now send the papers showing in condensed form annual and monthly shipments,
which is,'I hope, what you want. 1 am sorry press of work here prevents my making up
like statements of imports, which, however, are not so important.
*' These statements I send you to Bombay, that they may be at hand should you at
any time require same for reference.
“ l regret exceedingly I cannot give you more serviceable statements showing the
actual trade carried on at our ports in all kinds of craft. For mercantile purposes, as
well as for Government information, such statements would be valuable, and to us, as traders,
the want of same is much felt.
" As I said before, we are willing to do all such work, under the Residency, gratui­
tously in consideration of personal benefits to be derived therefrom. It only remains for
Government to give us the authority and power of gathering reliable statistics, which we
would undertake to keep regularly and in proper form
“ Of course, the statements now handed you are not so satisfactory as I would wish-
A three years’ comparative statement is scarcely a fair criterion, but we have not the
means of gathering reliable information for a longer period. What is sent is made up
from our own books,and from the date of the firm’s opening up here.
“ Tbe increase in 1868-69 is very considerable when one keeps in view the number
of extra steamers we had running on the line for the past twelve months, besides sailing
vessels, of which latter we have more than in former years.
0 I would, especially draw your attention to the column showing exports of specie,
wherein you will observe the steady decrease. This we consider a favourable sign of the
times showing the increased prosperity of the country, where by their increased shipments
of produce they are able to keep a better account with their Bombay Agents, and prevent
the necessity of remitting against imports.
It cannot, however, positively be attributed to this cause, for the export of pearls
you will observe, is included. It is most unfortunate this was not kept entirely distinct
from specie, but for the future this will be done where our steamers arc concerned.”