‘Administration Report on the Persian Gulf Political Residency and Maskat Political Agency for 1897-98’ [‎326v] (22/108)

20 ADMINISTRATION REPORT ON THE PERSIAN gulf The historical term used to describe the body of water between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran. political
Oil, Kerosene. —The clearness of food-stuffs is probably the cause of the
falling off in the import of this article. Shipments made direct from Russia
are said to have been more profitable than those from India.
Porcelain and China-ware. —The money returns of these wares show a
further improvement of a few thousand rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. orer the figures of the previous
year 3 and it seems clear that importers, having been induced in 1898 to import
less of the cheap Indian and more of the more expensive and better European
article, have now realised the fact that better business can be done in the
latter. English and Continental makes are getting more into favour, and have
pushed their way even as far as Tehran, competing there with Russian goods
Imports from China have at the same time as those from India materially
decreased.
Frovisions and Stores. —The value of the import of these articles has
been almost as great as in 1896, and 1J lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees greater than in 1895. Enormous
• Calcutta .„d quantities of rice have been imported into
-Bushire from India,* showing that the
cause of the abnormal import was the failure of the harvest in Persia.
Sugar, loaf. —The figures this year show a large increase of nearly three
lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees of rupees Indian silver coin also widely used in the Persian Gulf. in value over the previous year. The imports from Erance and
Germany, however, are reported not to have afforded much satisfaction or
profit.
Sugar, soft. —There has been a large falling-off in the import this year
probably due to the inability of the poor classes, the principal buyers, to'
indulge largely in its use. The trade in Mauritius sugar was less satisfactory
than that in the German article which is imported via London and Bombay.
Tea. —The import of this article was smaller in value than in 1896 by
R9,58,980. The reason is the same as that given in the case of sugar (soft).
Timber and Wood. —The demand continues to increase both for Indian
and Singapore sorts, and very good profits are said to have been realised in these
articles.
Woollen Goods. —The figures for 1897 show a further fall of R20 160
beyond those for 1896, but notwithstanding this, the demand is reported to be
increasing, and considerable profits were made by importers. The reason fnr
the falling-off is the same as that given for 1896.
Exports.
Horses. There was a considerable fall in this trade during 1896, due to
plague and famine in India. This year, on account of the recrudescence of the
plague, the market in Bombay was said to be so dull that only 10 horses were
exported during the year, and consequently a further fall of R42,870 is
recorded.
Arms and Ammunition.—The import of these into Bahrein, which used to
be etrected through Bushire and the other Persian ports in the Gulf was
carried on direct this year; hence the falling off of R59,904i in the exports.
^ Urtller lar ^ e Rl ' 30, ^ 29 ' compared with the figures of
loyo, took place m the export of this commodity. This is attributable, partly
to the same cause as prevailed in 1896, namely, the poorness of the cotton crop,
and partly to the bulk of the produce finding its way to Russia, where better
prices are now obtained than in India.
Lingah^* ^ Ilcrease ex P or t of dates occurred principally at
Almonds.--JlheYz was a slight increase in the export of this commodity,
but prices realised were said not to be good, as the demand in India was
sman.
Wheat, There was an entire absence of export of this grain from Bushire,
and the increase of the export from Lingahand Bunder Abbas only means that
gram was sent from there to other Persian ports, where prices were actually