"تقرير إداري عن المقيمية السياسية في الخليج العربي والوكالة السياسية في مسقط لسنة ١٨٩٧-١٨٩٨" [و‎‎٣‎١‎٩] (١٠٨/٧)

•&
ADMINISTRATION REPORT
ON THE
PERSIAN GULF POLITICAL RESIDENCY
AND
MASKAT POLITICAL AGENCY
FOR
1897-98.
P art I.—GENERAL SUMMARY.
1.—GENERAL.
Rainfall and harvest.—'Khz harvest in 1896-97 was a failure, only 7-98
inches of rain being registered in Bushire during that period. Instead,
therefore, of grain being exported, there was not snfficient to meet the
requirements of the countries bordering on the Gulf, and large importations of
food-stuffs have taken place during the year under report. The famine in
India prevented much grain coming from there, and Burma has been the
chief source of supply, quantities of rice being imported from that country.
In spite of heavy importations, prices went very high, and the comparative
Famine Time-, 1871-72. statement given in the margin, will
WbeatKrs. 17 to 21 per Hashim maund of 124ft. sllOW that food-stuiLS liaVC COSt mUCll
Barley „ io „ 14 „ „ more during the past twelve months
Dates :: 10" 12 „ than they did in the famine years of
" During 1897-98. 1871-72. It is a proof of the increase
wheat Krs. 21 to 28 per Hasbim maund of 124ft. in prosperity of Bushire during the past
Rice 67 " 40 " 50 " !! 25 years, that in spite of these high rates
Dates '* 16 23 „ there has not been actual famine, and
that it has not been necessary to provide public relief. At one time, however,
things looked very bad; the rains did not come as early as usual, and, though
there was a fall of some 2*25 inches in December and early part of January,
it ceased entirely after the 16th of the latter month. The rain held off, an d
the crops were getting yellow and burnt up, while there was no piospec o
fodder for cattle, horses, and mules. Early in March the outlook was exceed-
inglv eloomv ; but good falls of rain, which have, I am glad to say, been
general, on the 9th and again on the 21st March and subsequent days, revived
the dying crops, and brought up the grass, sufficiently to ensure a tairly good
harvest throughout the south of Persia. Less land had been sown than in
ordinary years, and I am doubtful if there will be much giain oi expor , u
there will, I am informed, be sufficient to meet local requirements. The ram
was too late to do much good in Persian Baluchistan, and there will certainly
be much suffering there, as it is the third bad harvest m succession. e ^ -
ing of the crops during the past three years, has undoubtedly affected trade.
"When grain was largely exported, imports rose proportionately, and they have
languished during the recent bad years. It is to be hope , iowe\ei,
worst is now overhand that a period of prosperity is about to commence. If the
rainfall during the coming year is normal, it is probabe a ^ ei
surplus grain for exportation, and that the money thus obtained will be
employed to increase imports.