'The Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society. From January 1863 to December 1864. (Edited by the Secretary.) Volume XVII.' [‎248] (423/524)

remarks on the port of LING AH,
23. I cannot lind that any great trade is maintained between
Bunder Abhass and Shiraz direct. Any trade that does take place in
that direction is arranged for at the Bunder itseh ; the purchasers
coming down from Lar, receiving the goods on credit, returning with
them towards Shiraz, and thence coming hack to Bunder Abhass with
either goods for sale, or the money-value of their former transaction.
24. It is from the direction of Lar, however, that the donkeys,
which form the principal means of carriage towards Yezd and Kerman,
are brought. During winter indeed camels are used; but it is said that
these are unable to support the heat of the plains in summer. A
donkey is sufficiently hardy for all seasons. He carries about 220 lbs.
and is content with the desert grass and very little corn. All carriage
however, seems to be charged for by the weight, a Bunder maun * of
9 lbs. coming on an average half a kran to Yezd, and one-fourth kran to
Kerman.
25. The rate of customs duty at Bunder Abbass is determined by
the terms of our commercial treaty f with Persia ; under that treaty
English goods are liable, whether when imported or exported to ad-
valorem duty of 5 per cent. Bunder Abbass being farmed to Muscat,
while goods passing there are principally of Persian produce or for
Persian use, it has been arranged that the total duty of 5 per cent,
shall be proportioned, 1 J per cent, to the authorities at Yezd, and
3J per cent, as customs at Bunder Abbass. Persians since 1856 enjoy, I
believe, some reduction of these rates.
26. The merchants at Bunder Abbass seem to take little interest
in the question of the localities where their goods may eventually find
a retail sale in the interior ; but, so far as I can gather, all goods sent
* There are five Maims.
The Hashem Maun of 124 ibs.
The Tabreez Maun of 6 ^ lbs.
The Bushire Maun of 7f lbs.
The Bunder Abbass Maun of 9 lbs.
The Delhi Maun of 28 lbs.
it is possible that the Bushire, Bunder Abbass and Tabreez Manns were originally
of the same weight, and that light weight, what is called the stone, being lighter, is
the secret of the present difference.
t The Persian flag flies at Bunder Abbass, and is in official correspondence with
tne Persian Authorities in the interior. Nearly all the matters upon which our
subjects applied to me related to transactions with the interior of Persia.