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EESIDENCY AND MUSCAT POLITICAL AGENCY FOR 1881-82. 21

PART III.

REPORT ON TRADE OP PERSIAN GUXP FOR 1881.
The import and export trade of South Persia was remarkably
dull during* the first months of 1881, the impoverishment of the popu­
lation, from the partial failure of the 1879-80 harvest continuing to be
felt.
The subsequent harvest was, however, comparatively plentiful, and
the effect was an increase in exports and imports. Piece-goods and
copper from Great Britain and India, and sugar from France and
Batavia, found good markets on the coast and in the interior.
Several prominent Persian merchants failed during the year, partly
from the results of previous year's over-trading, and partly from the
depreciation of opium in China. The Persian opium especially is said
to be in bad repute, owing to extensive adulteration of the drug.
Shipping and carrying facilities have greatly increased, and freights
have accordingly fallen. There are now three distinct lines of steamers
between Europe and the Persian Gulf, and two lines between India
and the Gulf. A company is further about to run small steamers to
all the ports of the Persian and Arabian coasts of the Gulf.

E. C. ROSS, Lieut.-Colonel,
Ren dent, Persian Gulf.