Page 46 - 7 Persian Trade rep Muscat 1_Neat

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previous years' reports, vis., the Marie Theresa that no organised Industry is carried on, and that
dollar of Austrian origin and tho debased copper there are no roads for wheel traffic. There is no
coin minted some years back by order of His Bale for photo and rubber goods, motor cars, bi­
Highness tho Sultan to replace the British Indian cycles, bioscopes, Kinemalographs or laundry
quarter antia piece. As tho transactions of the machines, etc., about which enquiries aro sometimes
local Post ana Telegraph Offices are in British addressed to this Consulate.
Indian currency the Indian Government silver Customs.—The Customs aro managed by lib
and copper coin is also in circulation in Maskat Highness the Sultan through a paid Superintend­
and its suburb Mutrah. Sovereigns are also ent- The import duty on all articles of
current at tho fixed rato of Rs. 15 to the pound merchandise except arras and ammunition is levied
sterling. The exchan go between dollars and at 6 per cent, ad valorem. On arms and ammuni­
rupees varied throughout the year, the highest tion the rate is G per cent, flu* §1 on each ride.
being Rs. 141-15-6 in June, and the lowest Duty is levied on the price of goods ruling in
Rs. 12S-13-6, in December per §100. The follow­ the local market and hence the production of
ing are the average rates of exchange which invoices is dispensed with by the Customs. For
iuled monthly in the local market daring the past this reason the department cannot supply reliable
three yean. statistics and hence the preparation of this report
is rendered veiy difficult.
No export duty proper is levied on goods
Exchawoi m §100. leaving the country, but an internal transit duty
iiontka. of 5 per cent, is collected on dates coming to the
19C6-07. 1907-03. i903-09. ports for export to foreign countries or for local
consumption. This duty is payable by the
growers of the produce.
April 1611 163^ 136 The port of Sur is growing in importance and
101* 105 132 S merchandise is now carried to and from India
Jana 157 167 133
July . . 157 168 140 direct by native crafts. No statistics of imports
August . 176J 171 136 and exports relating to this port are available.
Sep: ember 167* 170 136* Freight and shippings.—Six hundred and sixty
October . m 163 132*
November 166} 154 131* two vessels df 367,093 tons burden entered and a
December 171* 145 129* similar number cleared from the port of Maskat
January ; 166 146 1301 during year under review as against 678 and 677
Febnmy • 161* 142 130 vessels of 4-26,824- and 425,217 tons burden
AUreb • 160* 140 1291 respectively in 1907-0S, thus showing a decrease
of 16 vessels of 58,831 tons under entrance and
15 vessels.of 57,224 tons under clearance. Forty-
Hoads and Communication.—-Iso roads fit for one warships with a tonnage of 59,118 have been
wheel exist in the country. Transport by land is excluded this year from the return, although it
carried on by means of camels and donkeys and has been the custom to include them in previous
at sea by country craft- Travelling in the interior yeans.
is dangerous without a large escort
Th6 percentage of number and tonnag8 of
Hates of transport.—The freight of goods vessels of each nation that entered and cleared
other by country crafts or by camels varies from this port is as follows
according to the distance to which the goods are
to be transported and the difficulties of the Fuczxtaos.
journey.
Countries.
Agriculture.—Agricultural prospects m tins
country are very meagre. Wheat, pulse, gram and Number. Tonssg«k
maize are grown to a certain extent but the yield
is small owing to the fact that the country is 66*65
mountainous and the water supply very limited. British 2*43
French •
The average yearly rainfall is 5 inches. Hu lad • 17*98
Commercial enquiries.—Enouiri es are some- Penis* • 11-63
1*21
es addressed to this Consulate by merchants Baui&n • 6*79
and manufacturers in England asking for inform­ Turkish • 1*21
Germs*
ation regarding the sale of goods in which they Other nstions 2*11
aro interested. It is noted for their information