التقرير رقم 67 لسنة 1863 يصف القبائل، والتجارة، والموارد بسواحل الخليج. [و‎‎١‎٤] (٥٨/٢٧)

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142. As to Busreh itself, whose revenues may be as per margin, it looked to
Goods to the value of from 15 to 20 lacs rupees from Bombay, in If 6 ' W ^ en ®p en ^ om il
j >iece goods, pepper, sugar, miscellanies. llOUSe top, like a blend-
Goods to the value of from o to 10 lacs rupees from Baghdad. i 1 of lioree and. Nug-
Exports nearly 40 lacs rupees worth of dates of 3 qualities known as gur Tatta in Sind; the
1st, 2nd, and 3rd sorts. nnt.olriVt nf .Into.
Customs dues are levied according to a Tariff of from 5 to 10 per cent: . j i v ij? t t
the average may be 8 per cent. trees, and halt discard
ed canals; the same
river fringing; the same irrregnlar tumble down piles of mud-brick houses; with
a gleam here and there from a ruined tesselated minaret, or mosque of better
days; the same dirty picturesque children; the same flat roofs, walled in for
privacy, yet everywhere overlooked; the same wonder how the place ever got
half built; and whether any thing was ever new, finished, or repaired ?
143. Yet the little creek that leads from the town steps to the main river,
il unwholesome, was still very welcome. The apricot and almond, in full
blossom, hanging bonnily over the hedges, called back the apple and the cherry-
tree gladdening the orchard and greeting the road side, in a country where these
objects were something more to us, than to the passing foreign employe.
144. I may perhaps be expected to offer a remark or two upon the prospects
that any extension of the present steam communication through the Griilf would
have. I infer that the present line pays well; and that the steamers runninw;
from Busreh to Baghdad also pay. Having had occasion to visit Busreh with
part of my establishment by the mail steamer, I found her first class accommoda
tion all occupied, and was glad to be permitted sitting and dining room in the orlop
deck forward, I calculated that the receipts for that upward trip of twelve days
steaming from Bombay to Busreh, must have been 45,000 rupees; and from what
J subsequently learned, that her return trip must have brought in 30,000 rupees.
145. I think that some descriptions of goods would readily avail themselves
of steam communication along this line; such for instance, as bales of shawls and
other costly packages; also copper and stores. I further presume that a consider
able passenger traffic is waiting; and might be indefinitely increased by the sup
ply of means. Merchants would gladly pay a higher passage-money to save their
time, and be in advance of their coming goods. A wealthy and numerous class of
Mahomedans seek Baghdad, Kurbella, and Xejd. for purposes of religion and
pleasant residence. The numbers of this class would doubtless augment were the
ease and rapidity of the journey to become known and appreciated.
146. But my suggestion to any merchants embarking in this enterprise
would be to render their arrangements from the first public and definite, and as
convenient as may be to all parties concerned.
147. Let them publish as early as practicable their probable dates of arrivals
and departures; and then adhere to these. If it once becomes the general notion
that the steamer will wait, Oriental traders will certainly dally; and then either
the company must lose their cargo, or lose their time.
148. Be careful in the selection of agents, and see that they fulfil their duty.
149 If it be found that the cargo-boats from the shore cannot be depended
on for punctuality or in a breeze, establish independent cargo-boats, and include
this charge in the Bill of Lading.
150. Let the cargo brought, be delivered in good condition.*
151. If a promise be made to drop even the lowest class of passenger at a
certain point, let the promise be fulfilled. It is better to lose a little time in
anchoring, and to expend a few extra pounds of coal, rather than to allow a
whisper of breach of contract to find its way into the interior.
* Since writing this I have received an official complaint from the Governor of Bushire of the non
delivery of goods, and of the departure of the steamer for Busreh carrying the Bushire goods on with it.
A second complaint of the injury sustained by goods, while on board.
A third complaint that the steamer gives no notice of departure, and last time left a passenger
who had paid his passage-money.
In my opinion there are faults on both sides.