Page 24 - PERSIAN 4 1890_1899

18 ADMINISTRATION REPORT OF THE PERSIAN GULP POLITICAL

Owing to deficiency of grass in spring the wool clip was but poor in
quantity and quality, but what was exported to
Wool.
London sold well.
In cotton the exportation was unsatisfactory. The large American crop
reduced home prices, whilst the rise in the rupee
Cotton.
kept Bombay prices low, and shippers from Persia
had to face heavy losses. Some trials have been made in shipping hydraulic
pressed bales direct to London instead of, as usual, to Bombay, to bo mixed
with other qualities. It is thought that direct shipments to England will prove
successful.
A considerable trade was done in sweet-almonds, and it is expected that,
with the opening of the new route connecting 8 ul-
AlBondi.
tanahad, Barojird, and Kermanshah with the sea,
this trade will be considerably developed.
Freights to England varied from 22s.6d. to 32s.6tf.
Freight*.
per ton.
Exchange declined from krans 36 in the beginning of the year to krans 29
per pound sterling, and subsequently recovered to
Exchange.
krans 34.
The Imperial Bank of Persia, having arranged with the New Oriental
Bank Corporation to withdraw from Persia, secured
Bants.
the whole field for itself, and has opened branches
in the most important centres of commerce. The first annual report has been
encouraging and indicates favourable prospects.
The mining rights of the hank have been sold to the Persian Bank
Ilining Bights Association, and this company has commenced work in the
south. The mountains east of Bushire called the Gesikoon range were examined
at a place called Naristan for coal hut unsuccessfully. Machinery has been set
up at Dalike to bore for petroleum. The plant has the latest improvement, and
is suitable for boring to a depth of over 1,000 feet. The direction is entrusted
to an able and energetic Austrian officer, with much experience of such work
in Galicia, and if the success which is hoped for attends the interprise, it will
be a source of much prosperity to the country, and particularly to the port of
Bushire.
Another company has acquired a tobacco monopoly for all Persia, and it
is expected operations will be commenced from the approaching “ Nowroz, ”
Persian new year, which ialls on 21st March. This concession will probably
not he regarded with a favourable eye at first, and it wifi, require tact and skill
to overcome the difficulties which will be experienced in the working of details,
but it is expected to be a remunerative undertaking.

E.C. BOSS,
Political Resident in tie Persian Ou^f
and R. M's Consul-General for Fan.
Bushikb;
March 189L