Page 415 - PERSIAN 2C 1890_1899_Neat

RESIDENCY AND MASKAT POLITICAL AOBNOY FOR THE YEAR 1806-97. 7

ket and only about a third of the number of horses exported last year were
mar
got away this.
Jrma and Ammunition.—These articles are not really exported from here,
but the stocks imported from Europe are partly disseminated by sea in native
boats. This year want of money among the usual buyers reduced the amount
of arms thus worked off by over 1J lakha.
Cotton.— Want of rain produced poor crops and exports fell a few thousand
rupees below those of last year.
Dates.—This crop was also seriously affected by want of rain and was
barely sufficient for the demand in the country, the result being a fall of 4 J
lakhs in exports.
Almonds.—This crop also was poor owing to want of rain and a further
decrease of over l^- lakhs is shown.
Wheat.—A heavy fall of 12 lakhs in the export of this commodity was
due to the almost total failure of the crops produced by successive inadequate
rainfalls.
Bides and Skins.—A slightly increased demand in India produced a small
rise in exports.
0]>ivm.— A good crop and rather more favourable conditions slightly
rehabilitated this article, which fell off heavily last year.
Bosetcaier.—The demand in India for this article was good and an increased
export of it therefore followed.
Shells.—The improvement in the market begun last year continued and
the exports this year slightly exceeded those of last.
Silk.—Exports of silk from Bushire this year were slightly in excess of
last year’s, but the almost total absence of any exports from Bunder Abbas this
year leaves the total slightly on the wrong side.
Tobacco.—Prices of tobacco, up-oountry, fell and the Socidtd du Tombac
consequently bought largely for export and an increase of 1$ lakhs was the
result.
Wool.—As in the case of silk, Bushire held its own and Bunder Abbas
almost totally failed, the total result for the year being a falling off of over 6J
lakhs.
Carpets.—The Turkish and Egyptian markets showed hardly any demand
and the export of carpets fell off lflj lakhs.
Miscellaneous.
Exchange.— Sterling exchange showed little fluctuation, the general
tendency being downwards and that only from Krans 53^ at the commence­
ment of the year to Krans 50} at the dose. Rupee exchange fluctuated more,
the rate to the R100 being 315 Xrans at the commencement which fell in
June—October to 302 Kraus and rose again at the end of the year to 812
Krang.
Mvle hire.—Opened at the rate of Krans 65—70, but soon after fell to
60—56. For a short time after the assassination of the late Shah, transport
^as entirely suspended, but was resumed in July, the rate then being 70—80.
In October, a rush of sugar sendings sent the rate up to nearly Krans 120, but
eU at tbe close of the year to Krans 80 per 100 maunds.
Treights.—Remained steady at from 18a. to 20a. per ton to London.
. M. J. MEADE, Major,
Offg. Political hesident, Persian Gulf.1
B 2