Page 286 - PERSIAN 4 1890_1899

50 ADMINISTRATION REPORT ON THE PER8IAN GULP POLITICAL

In addition to tho imports mentionod in the appended tables, aboiU3(vw\
pieces of 8yrian silk goods, about 10,000 pieces Syrian cotton goods, probabl
partly of Manchester manufacture, and about 1,000 pieces of Manchester clii u
were brought from Basreb by the .shop-keepers. nu
Metals.—In iron and copper there has been a dccrcaso owing to overstock
ing last year. No iron rods were imported.
Sugar.—French loaf-sugar is being used largoly and is taking the nlam
of Mauritius sugar.

Shipping.
Shipping—sea.—During 1894 twelve steamers called with cargo from
Europe against nine in 1893, and fifteen for cargo for Europe against four in
the former year.
freight—London.—Freight to London varied from 20 to 27 shillings and
6 pence per ton.
The British India Steam Navigation Company calledjweekly, and the Bom­
bay and Persia Steam Navigation Company about once in three weeks for and
from Bombay and the Gulf ports.
Freight—Bombay.— Freight from Bombay was about 10 shilings a ton,
and to Bombay varied from 2 to 14 shillings a ton.
Mohammerah being between the large port of Basreh and the bar at the
mouth of the Shatt-el-Arab, cargo is frequently shut out owing to lowness of the
water on the bar.
Only returns of vessels under the British flag are obtainable, and of
steamers ; but the number of coasting vessels which called during the date
season has been obtained.
Karun Fiver.—The Euphrates and Tigris Steam Navigation Company’s
Karun extension ran a steamer fortnightly to Bunder Nasscry on the Karun.
She made some extra trips and at times towed a barge when more cargo offer­
ed. A steamer runs in connection with her weekly from Bunder Kassery to
Shelelia, 8 miles from Shushter, and the Nassery Company (Persian) also run
a steamer between Bunder Nassery and Shelelia when cargo offers.
Freight—Shushter.—Freight Mohammerah to Nassery 10 shillings 5 pence
per ton, and to Shuster 19 shillings 2 J ponce per ton.
Ispahan.—Caravan rate Shushter to Ispahan about 15 shillings per
load of 350 pounds.

Agriculture.
Wheat.—The wheat harvest was good, and prices cheap—from 1 shilling
7 pence to 2 shillings 6 pence per cwt. Prospects for next harvest are also good,
there having been unusually heavy rains, provided that rain occurs later in the
season ; a larger amount of grain has also been sown than last year.
Bates.—The date crop was about the same as last year both in quantity
were
and quality ; but there being little demand for the Bombay market, prices
cheap, being about 2 shillings per 160A>.

Population.
The population of Mohammerah is now about 6,000 owing to migration of
Arabs from Turkish territory. The population of the neighbourhood is i°*
creasing from the same cause.
Health.—There have been no epidemics during the year.

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