File 234/1917 'Muscat trade reports. (1911-1924)' [‎151v] (311/428)

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was in chaos Muscat was able to export slightly
more than in the previous year.
Cotton goods (Europe) :—Show an increase
of Rs. 25,150 or nearly 30 per cent, over last year's
figure which stood at Rs. 60,400. Persia took
Rs. 12,250 worth of goods more than she did in
previous year and Arab Coast Rs. 3,100.
Exports by sailing vessels :— The total ex
ports carried by sailing craft during the year are
double that carried during the last year showing
the respectable increase of Rs. 1,87,699 or 100
per cent, but if the one item of Rs. 2,39,000
under Bar Silver, which is not legitimate trade,
is eleminated from the total exports the result
will show that the exports carried by sailing craft
have suffered to the extent of Rs 1,00,301. A
further glance at the returns under sailing vessels
will show that the trade has suffered throughout
with the exception of Bar Silver which item
alone shows an increased export of Rs. 1,99,000
noticed elsewhere.
Openings for new trade :—There are no open
ings for new trade.
Rates of transport. —The rates of transport
depend upon the distance the goods are to be
conveyed and the difficulty of the journey.
Transport along the coast by native craft is
comparatively cheap, but transport in the interior,
being on pack animals, is very expensive.
Freight and shipping ;—The return attached
to this report has been compiled from the register
of ships maintained by this Consulate. Only such
British sailing vessels as deposited their articles
or register are shown therein. Possibly there
may have been a few more vessels who called
here for water, etc., did not deposit their articles.
Figures for the sailing vessels of other nationalities
are not available as the Local Customs authorities
do not record such information. One hundred and
two steam vessels entered the port during the year
representing a tonnage of 154,857, of which 100
entered with cargo representing a tonnage of
151,415 and 2 in ballast representing a tonnage
of 3,442. Eighty-two steam vessels cleared the
port representing a tonnage of 97,109. Of the
82 vessels. 71 cleared with cargo and represent a
tonnage of 86,612 and 11 in ballast representing a
tonrage of 10,497.
Forty-four sailing vessels entered the port
with a total tonnage of 3,465. Of the 44 sailing
vessels, 29 entered with cargo representing
tonnage of 2,088. The number of sailing vessels
that cleared from the port is 38 representing a
tonnage of 3,195. Of these, 22 cleared with cargo
representing a tonnage of 1,762 and 20 in ballast re
presenting a tonnage of 1,744. The lines of steamers
mentioned below maintained service from Europe
during the year, viz.:—
4 British, 1 Russian, and 1 German.
The British India Company, who have the
contract for the carriage of mails from and to
India, provide one weekly fast mail service up
and down and also a weekly coasting slow mail
service both ways. The vessels of the Arab
Steamers, Limited, have also maintained a service
between Bombay and Basra but at irregular
periods.
There has been no change in freights during
the year and the rates shown in the last year’s
report hold good. They are quoted below for
easy reference : —
N ame of article and place.
Rate of freight
per ton.
Rs. A. P.
Wet dates to United Kigdom
32-4 0
Dry and wet dates to India .
5 0 o
Dry fish to India ....
700
Mother-of-pearls to India
6 0 0
Fruits to India .....
10 0 0
Dry limes (every place) ....
10 0 0
GENERAL.
The returns of imports, as well as those of
exports, are based on the figures compiled from
the actual steamer manifests access to which has
readily been given by the courtesy of Messrs.
Towel and Co., who are local agents for most of
the Shipping Companies’ vessels calling at Muscat.
R. A. E. BENN, Lieut. -Colonel,
His Britannic Majesty's Consul, Muscat.