Page 499 - PERSIAN 2C 1890_1899_Neat

RESIDENCY AND MASKAT POLITICAL AGENCY FOR THE YEAR 1897-98. SI
Gum.—Bushiro lma hitherto boon the only port from which this produd
has boon exported, but favourable markets in England and India not only
induced an export from Bushiro of more than double that of the previous year,
but also encouraged shipments from Lingah. The advance recorded amount
to ovor a lakh of rupees, and considerable profits were realised, both on local
sales and on shipments.
Hides and Skins.—There was a rise in the exports of these articles amount­
ing in value to about 1138,923.
Ojpinm, —The decrease in the export is due to a poor crop.
Pose-ioater.—The demand for this artiole fell considerably in India, proba­
bly on account of the recrudescence of plague.
Shells.—Export this year exceeded that of 1890 by 111,21,102, and tfee
trade again proved exceptionally remunerative, in spite of the wages paid to‘
the divers being: raised in rates. This is a trade in which European and the
better class of Persian merchants hesitate to engage, the persons concerned 5a
it being notorious for their fraudulent practices.
Silk,—The slight fall in the export of this article was due to the recrudes­
cence of plague in India.
Tobacco.—The heavy fall in the export of this commodity is said to be
due to the opposition of the priesthood of Persia, who regard with disfavour
the monopoly held by the “ Socidte de Tombac ” from the Persian Government,
IFool.—A. largo increase of this article, worth El,17,849, has been
exported, but as shipments to the United Kingdom are said not to have been
profitable, it is hardly likely that the rate of increase will be maintained.
Carpets.—A bad market in Egypt prevented large exports being made,3.i&d
a fall of E 1,04,584 resulted.
Miscellaneous.
Exchange.—Sterling exchange stood at Krans 51J at the commencement
of the year, and fell gradually to Krans 56J-, which figure it reached in Oc’to'ber.
It rose’again to Krans 53J- in November, and at tho close of the year it wns
55 Krans.
Exchange between rupees and krans fluctuated more than in the prev&!?as
year. Opening at Kraus 320 to the E100, the rate rose in August to&ans
345, and still contiuuing to rise, at the close of the year was Krans S55 to
E100.
.Vyle hire.—This was fairly moderate and steady throughout, the yrar.
It opened at the rate of Krans SO per load, aud excepting a fall in^Marah and
April to Kraus G5, tho rates ranged between Krans 80 and 95 till the cka® of
the year, when they stood at Krans 105 per load.
Freiofits.—Freights to London ruled at 26s. per ton throughout ‘she year
except in May when they fell to 23s. and 22s. 6d.
Shipping.—The shipping trade of the year under review *b*\\rs a small
decrease when compared with the figures of 1896, and a consideraMe decrease
‘
on IS95. Ninety-three steam vessels, aggregating 101,394 -tons, .eratoal the
port of Bushire, a very great majority of which carried the British flag.
M. J. MEADE,
Political Pesid&fi*
Persian Gal/.