Page 225 - PERSIAN 4 1890_1899

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Part V.-MOSAMMERAH TRADE, 1893.

Abstract op Ookten*8.
Trade. Epidemics.
Export*. Government.
Imports. Returns, dxportfc.
8htypit)g» )> imports.
Kama trade. „ Karan tfedd.
Agriculture. „ shipping.
Population,

T&ADR.
Owing to an epidemic of cliolera for about fire months, there wa3 little
trade done.
Extorts.
Natural products.—There was a decrease in natural products and ghee
exported, owing to latenes9 of rains in spring.
Opium.—Some two hundred chests of opium from up-country were shipped
by this routs; but owing to dolays, partly from interruption of caravah route
at the time owing to disturbed state of bill tribes, and partly in shipping at
Mohammerah, merchants found the Baghdad route preferable.
Wheat,—The export of wheat being prohibited until the end of August, a
large portion of the crop was conveyed to Busrah in lighters for Sale. Wheat
is still coming down for shipment.
Dates.—With the exception of dates all cargo shipped by British boats.
Dates are shipped by native coasting boats for Persian Gulf, Oman, and Red
Sea ports, of which no returns are available.
Imports.
General decrease in imports due to epidemic. .Increase in rice owing to
failure of rice crop in Khuzistan.
All imports by British vessels, except some of kerosioe oil by native
vessels, and about ten bales Manchester chintz and about thirty-five bales
Syrian cotton goods. The greater part of the chintz for local supply has this
year been imported direct, or via Bombay, a Jewish firm at Busrah having
established a branch here.
Shipping.
Only returns of British shipping obtainable; many coasting craft from
Oman and Red Sea call during date season.
Karun trade.
The Governor of Mohammerah’s steamers ceased running with cargo at
end of April, and the carrying trade on Lower Karun is at present carried
by^ British vessels. The Tigris-Euphrates Steam Navigation Company have
built a steamer, specially for the Karun, which has been running regubuly
twice a month since February.
Through-shipment from Bombay to Shushtar is now taken advantage of
by shippers, and the amount of cargo thus shipped is increasing.
A small amount of cargo for Dizful is now sent via Karun and Shnshtar,
but the major part still goes by caravan.