Page 371 - PERSIAN 4 1890_1899

RESIDENCY and maskat political agency FOIL THE YEAR 1895-90. 75

PART Y.

the trade and commerce of Mohammerali for the year 1895.
Report on
ABSTRACT OF CONTENTS.
General. Aa Electron*.
Extorts. PorULATIOX.
Imports. Postal Service.
SlIIPPINQ. Bundaq Xa8KI.
Tadles.

General.
There has been a general increase in trade, the total both of exports and
imports exceeding that of any previous year, and this would have been greater
hd it not been "forth© embargo on grain during the latter half of the year,
oJving to which there was a scarcity of cash among the populace.
Exchange.—Exchange has been calculated at the rate of 55 krans to the
pound sterling.
Exports.
Wheat.—The wheat exports were large ; but chiefly by direct steamer to
London, and were entirely of the crop of 1891, as an embargo was placed on the
shipment of wheat as soon as the old crop was exhausted. Some wheat was
also sent to Basrah for sale of which no returns are available.
Natural products. Gum.—Increase in exports of natural products is due
to nonshipment last year ; but in the case of gum there was this year a demand
for it at Bundar Nasri for shipment to London direct, which has not been pre­
viously done, consequently gum which in other years would have been taken to
the coast was brought to that place.
Imports.
The increase in imports is partly due to goods for Koweit in Turkish
Arabia especially coflec from India and Aden, and rice having again been
landed here.
Colton goods.—There was a marked increase in cotton goods especially by
steamer direct from Manchester and in American picccgoods from Aden. The
shoopkeepers who were formerly supplied with chintzes from Basrah are now
supplied by an importer here, and the only goods from Basrali were about 4,000
pieces Syriau silk, and about 15,000 pieces Syrian cotton goods.
Tioisl.—The twist imported is chiefly for Shuster, where it is woven into
colli, which is afterwards printed and sold and exported in the form of quilt
covers. The woof of the carpets made in Shuskter is also of this cotton twist,
we warp being wool.
Prices.—The prices of cotton goods was about the same as given last
year.
J;- a great decrease in the price of pepper, dependent on the

Shipping.
called I**’ ^urtecn steamers called from Europe direct with cargo and seven
after j^cCar®°* Owing to the embargo on grain, there was little cargo shipped
fuln^^T^Sht to London averaged about £l-2-G per ton ; but in
18 cwt- of wheat is to count as a ton.
rei§ht to Bombay varied from 3 to 14 shillings per ton.