Page 77 - PERSIAN 4 1890_1899

RESIDENCY AND MUSCAT POLITICAL AGENCY FOB 1891-01 • 21

Tobacco.—Tho monopoly obtained by the “Imperial Tobacco Corporation
of Persia, Limited,” last year, was withdrawn by the Persian Government this
year, and export on account of private firms is again allowed. It is understood
that tho exclusive right to import Persian tobacco into Turkey, where it is
mostly consumed, has been given to a “ Societe du Tombac," and it remains to
bo seen whether shippers will be able to export on favorable terms.
Almond kernels.—A considerable trade was done in this article during the
early part of the year, but large crops in Europe sent prices down, and the
exports from Persia ceased to be profitable.
Oum.—This was exported in fair quantities, chiefly by Persians, and
fetched good prices.
Woollen goods.—Carpets from Sultanabad are now exported by the Bagh­
dad and Bussorah route as being^cheaper.
Freights.—Freights varied from 27s. 6d. per ton in the spring to 30s. in
October, and closed at 30s. after an intermediate fall to 25s. The demand for
tonnage to London was steady, and a much larger number of steamers than
usual loaded from the Gulf. Tonnage for India was also freely taken up, whilst
grain shipments were active, but fell off afterwards, and the state of the
Bombay market does not encourage the hope that there will be much enquiry
for it at present.
Exchange.—Exchange was not so unstable as it had been in 1890, until
quite the close of the year, when there was a sudden marked rise from krans
34 to krans 3S, and it has since risen still further, completely checking
imports and increasing the difficulty of working off existing stocks.
Zliv.sraU.—The boring for petroleum at Dalflri lias been continued during
the working months of the past year, and a depth of 620 feet was reached. The
work progressed more slowly than before owing to blocks in the bore-hole, but
the engineer has now reached a depth of 1,000 feet, and the indications of oil
are said to be more favourable. Work has been stopped as usual during the
summer. A leading American firm having retired from Basrah, the importation
of kerosiae oil from America censed, and Russian oil from Batoum was im­
ported direct by steamer.

A. C. TALBOT,
Political Resident, Persian Gulf.