'The Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society. From January 1863 to December 1864. (Edited by the Secretary.) Volume XVII.' [‎284] (461/524)

284 EXTRACT FROM THE ADMINISTRATION REPORT
New Taxes.
This income is barely sufficient to discharge his most pressing neces
sities, and there is no margin available
for works of public utility or internal
improvement. His Highness is debarred by treaty from imposing any
export duties, harbour dues, or even from increasing the import duties ;
he has therefore, at my suggestion, had recourse to a modified system
of land tax, which became law on the 14th of September 1863.
The owners of land are thereby required to pay 2 pice (3 farthings)
yer annum on every mature cocoanut tree, the estimated annual pro
duce of which is a dollar or 128 pice ; and an octroi duty of five per
cent, is to be charged on all cloves brought to market.
It is calculated that this will produce about 40,000 per annum t
and it will hardly be felt by His Highness’ subjects, who have hitherto
been exempt from direct taxation in any form.
In anticipation of the proceeds of these taxes, His Highness has
already ordered three iron bridges from England, and he is building a
handsome new Custom House, half the cost of which, however, will
be borne by the farmer of customs.
From the preceding remarks it will be seen that the Zanzibar State is
of considerable commercial importance, especially to great Britain ; there
appears, however, to be an idea that the trade with this coast is capable
of almost unlimited extension, but this is an opinion which Ido not share.
The countries on the mainland which supply the Zanzibar market are
in such a backward and disorganized state, that any considerable ex
pansion of the existing trade cannot be expected for a very long time to
come ; but the resources of the island itself are almost unlimited, and
by a judicious application of European capital and energy, it might be
made one of the richest sugar-producing countries in the world.
I am glad to know that this idea is obtaining acceptance. Already
the firm above alluded to has made extensive preparations for embark
ing in the cultivation of sugar, and several French planters from Bourbon
have visited this island with a view to inquire into its capabilities ; one
has even purchased an estate, and purposes shortly coming here with
his family, as owing to disease, and the baren insect, the sugar-cane
crop in Reunion is yearly becoming worse and worse.
Every condition requisite for the successful cultivation of sugar
exists herein gieat perfection ; labour is cheap and abundant, the soil