Page 572 - PERSIAN 2C 1890_1899_Neat

02 ADMINI8TBATI0N BE PORT ON THEvPBB8IAN GULF POLITIOAL

Part IV.-TRADE 8TATISTIOS POE 1897-98.

The total trade for the year is returned at $5,372,000 as against
$4,788,800 for the preceding year, showing an incroaso of $588,200.
The returns inoluding specie show an increase of $658,000 in imports as
compared with the figures of the previous year. With the exception of a
slight decrease under the head of piece goods, almost everjr head shows a
remarkable increase; rico from India and arms and ammunition from the
United Kingdom and France contributing chiefly towards it.
In the case of exports, although dates, fruit, fish, etc., show an increase,
there is a remarkable decrease uoder the heads of cloth and Balt, and a con­
siderable fall under the head of specie which is duo to the fall in exchange of
dollars.
The customs were farmed by Sbett Rattansee Purshottam for $1::5,000,
hut a fortnight before the expiration of the annual contract the customs were
sold to a ring of Outchee Banians for $140,000. A week afterwards, however,
they reverted to Battansee foe the sum of $170,000 which amount was sub­
sequently reduced to $140,000 in consequence of the anticipated loss to the
customs from the agreement made between the British, Persian, and Maskat
Governments for the suppression of the export of arras and ammunition from
Ifaskat to Indian and Persian ports.
C. G. F. FAGAN,
Political Agent and Her Britannia Majesty** Consul,
Masqat,