Page 497 - PERSIAN 2C 1890_1899_Neat

RESIDENCY AND MASKAT POLITICAL AGENCY FOR THE YEAR 1807-08. 19
persons in such a sudden way must, along with other causes I have mentioned,
have materially diminished the oxtont of tho aroa placed under cultivation in
the districts to which they belonged. Later on, however, favourable reports
were received from the interior of the good done to the crops by the late heavy
fall of rain, and of the prospect of a good harvest in consequence. In spite,
therefore, of the fact that the opium crop is not likely to be a large one, and
that fruit-trocs, particularly almonds, have been damaged by frost and locusts,
there is reason to hope that the volume of trade in 1898, if hardly up to nor-
mal standard, will show a great improvement upon the year under report.

Im ports.
Arms and ammunition.—This trade was carried on unchecked until the
beginning of December when the Persian Government suddenly announced its
intention to 6top it once and for all, and, in consequence theroo’f, proceeded to
enforce the prohibition, which has existed since 1881, by seizing and confis­
cating every rifle and cartridge which could be found for sale in its seaport
towns and territorial waters.
Although the importation of arms was carried on for only about eleven
months of the year under report, the imports nevertheless showed an increase
o\er the whole previous year's figures of about two lakhs of rupees, thus show­
ing how rapidly it was increasing.
Candles.—There was a general falling off of the demand for this article,
due to the dearness of living, and transactions in it consequently resulted in
loss to the importers.
Coffee.—The use of coffee is said to bo dying out in Persia, and the little
trade done in it resulted in loss. Dearness of the staple food-stuffs also contri­
buted lo diminish the demand during the past year, with the result that the
decreaso of the import has been about IS per cent, as compared with the pre­
vious year.
Colton goods.—Transactions in the interior on the whole are said to have
been unremunerative, but in the seaport towns a profit of about 10 per cent,
is reported to have been made on imports, the value of which exceeded that of
189(3 by nearly CO lakhs of rupees.
Drugs and Medicines.—There was a good deal of sickness in the interior,
notably at Shiraz, where influenza and fevers were very rife and caused many
deaths. Consequently imports, influenced by demand; increased about 20 per
cent., and trade in these articles was very lucrative, profits recorded being 10
to 15 per cent. The condition of the market, however, at the close of the year
leaves the prospect for 1S98 somewhat unfavourable.
Gloss and alass-ware.—The total import shows a small increase, owing to
a demand having arisen in Lingah and Buuder Abbas, where there was none
before. In Busline the demand has considerably decreased.
Gold lace and thread.—Trade in this line is still feeling the competition
noticed in last year's report, viz., the introduction from the north of a better
class of goods and the increase, therefore, over the figures of 1896 is hardly
appreciable.
Eardtoare and Cutlery.—There was a decline of B25,200 in the value of
these goods, duo to dearness of food-stuffs.
Indigo.—Calcutta indigo is said to be getting into disfavour, and cheaper
sorts are being sought after, more suitable for supplying the wants of the
country. The trade, however, has revived considerably from the depression
caused in the previous year by the Indian famine, and the imports show an
increase valued at ft'2,72,102 over 1896.
Matches.—The decrease in the import of this article was due to the supply
of last year having exceeded the demand.
Metals._'The imports only show a small increase over those of last year,
but the trade is reported to have been generally profitable and more especially
in yellow metal sheets for which an increasing demand exists.
o ft