Page 52 - 5 Persian Trade rep BUSHIRE I_Neat

8 dusiiire.

and to a certain extent in Shiraz, for there is a scant supply of wood
fit for building purposes in this part of Persia. The trade in
Bushire is in the hands of the boatbuilders and master carpenters.
The following arc the principal kinds in favour :—(1) Malabar
teakwood in logs of 20 to 30 and 35 zars (1 zar equals 19 inches),
with a breadth of 10 to 12 inches at prices equivalent here bo
28 rs. 5 a. to 113 rs. 5 a. These logs arc hewn roughly square and
used in the building of native boats. (2) A wood more and more
used for the framework of doors and windows in Bushire and
Shiraz is Siam tcakwood, imported in planks 10 inches broad and
2 inches thick at a price of 1 rupee. 2 a. per plank of 19 inches and
others in proportion. (3) A Malabar wood locally (and in Calicut)
termed 44 Mintog,” at a rate of 1 rupee 2 a. to 1 rupee 4 a. per length
of 19 inches, other measurements being about 12 by 2 inches.
(4) Wood known as “ Jawi ” (t.e., Java wood) in many sizes and
prices. (5) Mango wood from Calicut and other districts.
(6) Rafter-poles and *44 Jungle-wood ” in logs sawn to the desired
size. The price of the former ranges from 50 to 180 krans. The
latter is a tremendously heavy, tough timber. The transport
from Calicut or the Malabar coast is sometimes made in Indian
native boats (kotias), but more generally in Persian craft.
Candles. Some explanation is necessary under the head of candles, for
the customs returns are extraordinarily inaccurate and misrepresent
the trend of trade in this article. Notwithstanding the disappear­
ance of an item of 1,413Z. from Burmah in the statistics, it can
be said on the best authority that Burmese wax candles more
than doubled the import of their trial year, and that they are
the best-known and lowest-priced on the southern market. The
Dutch import and those transhipped in Germany are stearine
candles, manufactured in the one case at Schiedam and the other
at Amsterdam, respectively 7J and 8 inches in length, six to the
packet and 30 packets to the case. Their wrapper, which opens
in the middle, is superior to that of the Burmese brand. A foreign
Consular report has stated that the trade of candles in Persia is
almost entirely monopolised by Russia, Belgium and the Nether­
lands ; the only suitable comment, as far as 1906-07 is concerned,
is that, with the exception of the Dutch candles aforementioned,
“ the place of these has been empty ” as the Persians say.
Charcoal. No exact comparison is possible with the figures of 1905, when
the proportion of coal to charcoal under the heading “ Coal and
charcoal ” was not noted in the report. The charcoal import from
Karachi has, however, undoubtedly increased. Formerly little
or no charcoal was brought into the country, but since the peasants
have learnt that there is a price on gum-bearing trees the reckless
burning of wood has largely diminished. The demand for char­
coal from outside has proportionately increased. In March, 1906,
the selling price in Bushire averaged 11 to 12 rs. per Hashem mdn
of 124 lbs.; this fell to 3£ re., but by March, 1907, had risen again
owing to dearth of charcoal in the town and high rates in Karachi