Page 461 - Gulf Precis (VII)_Neat

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331. Tlio Government of Indio, declined to sanction the proposed increase
(Letter to Major Cox, No. 3878 E. A., dated the 18th October 1005) for the
following reasons:—
"It appears from the reply of tho Hon’blc the Agent to tho Governor-General in
Baluchistan, to whom a reference was made on the subject that there lias been no such increase
in tho duties of the Director in his capacity as the officer in political charge of the Balueli-
Mckran Const, ns would justify the proposals, This opinion is confirmed by the figures quoted
in the statement which forms an enclosure to your lei ter under reply. From them it seems
that that there has been a falling off, rather than othenviso of late in the volume of the
Director’s political duties which relate to Kalat.
" The increase has been in connection with the Persian ports and Gwadur. As regards
Gwadur and the Persian ports, there appears to be no reason why at the first mentioned 'place
the Political Agent at Maskat, and at the Persian ports His Majesty’s Consul at Bandar
Abbas, should not undertake tho major portion of such political work as exists. Itegular
means of communication by steamship exists between Maskat and Gwadur, and between
Bandar Abbas and Jask and neither political officer should expcricuco difficulty in arranging
for occasional visits to these or other places on the coast, in His Majesty’s ships, between
Maskat and Gwadur means of telegraphic communication already exist; while Bandar
Abbas i6 shortly to be brought into direct communication with the telegraphic svstem of
the Persian Gulf/’
331. As regards the civil and criminal and other powers exercised by the
Political Officers exoroising authority at Gwadur and Persian, Mokran coast
vide Persian Coast and Islands Precis 1854-1905, paragraphs 337-346 and
376—380.

APPENDIX.

{See paragraph 44 of the Precis).
lteport on the nature of the Trade at Gwadur and the probable
amount of its Revenues.

Gwadtje is the chief port of Central Mekran, the trade of which is con­
ducted by Hindoo and Khojah merchants
Volume 29 of 1865 page 105.
residing at Gwadur, who have agents at
all tho principal stations of the adjacent districts, vis., atl Kej, Punjgoor,
I
Boleidi, Sami, Toomp, Kolanch, Kontadar, Kolwah and Baho.
The seasons are very variable in Mekran as regards the fall of rain, which
causes great fluctuations in the trade between Gwadur and the interior, but the
principal commodities, wool and goats’ hair can always be reckoned on, and arc
almost entirely exported, the native manufactures from these staples being in­
considerable. Another unfailing item is supplied by tho useful bush named
“ Pesli ” which, I believe, is a species of aloe, and which grows in abundance
throughout this part of Mokran. Prom its leaves are manufactured bags, mat­
ting and a variety of useful domestic articles, whilst the stones of its fruit called
“Koncr ” are exported in quantities to Muscat, whence they arc sent to Mecca
and made into rozaries.
The supply of the various kinds of grain and of cotton and ghee isyery
variable. During plentiful seasons sufficient is grown to leave a surplus for
exportation after the wants of the popnlatiou are supplied. In dry years on the
contrary scarcely any of these artioles are produced, and the inhabitants are
obliged to resort to Gwadur for their supply, when tho merchants will have
foreseen and provided for the demand.
The following are the commodities, the produce of the interior brought to
Gwadur for consumption there, and for exportation :—
Wool. Wheat Pesli 6tones.
Goats’ hair. Barley. ( Pomegranate.
Cotton. Jowari. (_ Bine and seeds
Ghee. Mocng. Ispungar orV
Hides. Salt. Isaufgool J
Dry dates. Posh leaves. Woollen bags-
Fresh dates. Matting. Gum.
Rice Mat bags. Fruit.