'REPORT ON THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY, FOR THE YEAR 1907-1908' [‎44v] (87/137)

BOMBAY ADMINISTRATION REPORT.
[1907.]9q^
Chap. IV.
PRODUCTION
AND
DISTRIBUTION.
General.
Details of variations.
Distribution of
Trade.
Inland Trade.
General Sea borne
Trade.
Shipping.
Imperial Services.
Customs.
Salt.
Mint.
48
(3) ADEN.
1. The total value of the Sea-borne and Inland Trade of Aden decreased by Rs. 1,00,85^0^
or 30*14 per cent. Indian Trade decreased by 14'99 lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees or 875 per cent, and Inland Tracfe
increased by 2*64 l&khs, or 6 65 per cent.
2. Imported Coal shows a decrease of 900 tons in quantity, but an increase of 2 lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees
value owing to higher prices in the United Kingdom and Calcutta. Both imports and exports
of Coffee improved in value, the latter by 6^ lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees . There was a heavy decrease of. 28 la]^
in the imports, and of 16 Idkhs in the exports of Skins and Hides. Animals increased in number
and value owing to the demand from Turkey-i n-Europe. There were decreases both in imports
and exports of Cotton^ Twist and Yarn, and Grey Piece-goods, the fall of over a crore Equivalent to ten million, or one hundred lakhs. Used especially in connection with money (rupees). in the
case of the latter being partly due to the bad trade in Hides and Skins and consequent limited
demand. Imports of Dyed Piece-goods advanced by If lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees , and exports by lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees . The
Tobacco trade shows a net decline of 5 lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees . The imports and exports of Grain and Pulse
decreased by 5f Mkhs and 11 tekhs respectively. There was an increase of over 3 Ukhs in the
imports and nearly 3 lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees in the exports of Ivory. Under Metals there was a fair increase both
in quantity and value. Kerosine Oil decreased in quantity by over 7,00,000 gallons and in value
by over 3 J Ukhs. Against an increase of nearly 6 lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees under Spices, there was a fall of nearly
4 l&khs under Sugar. Exports of Wax decreased by 4| lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees . Much Abyssinian Wax is now
shipped through Khartoum and Port Soudan instead of vid Aden, Imports of Mother-of-Pearl
rose in value by f l&kh, but there was a decrease under Pearls due to unfavourable markets.
There was a further decrease of 2 Idkhs in exports of Hates due to direct transhipment from
Bussorah to Hodeidah and Somali Land. The reduction of duty in India led to an increase
of If lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees in the Salt trade. Treasure shows a large increase of 19f l&khs under imports and
14f lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees under exports.
3. The following countries showed the largest decreases in trade:—United States of
America, Rs. 69,04,705 ; Somali Land, Rs. 26,03,822; Bombay, Rs. 16,54,258 ; Hodeidak,
Rs. 15,81,959; Italian East Africa, Rs. 5,97,368 ; Massowah, Rs. 5,16,508 ; while increases are
shown in the trade with the following:—Austria, Rs. 11,58,982; Karachi, Rs. 10,36,093;
Arabian Gulf Ports, Rs. 7,63,307 ; Germany, Rs. 3,18,475; and Egypt, Rs. 3,05,191.
4. The number of camel-loads of produce imported from the interior rose from 172,397
to 186,607. There were increases under all items of Merchandise except Coffee, which showed
a slight decline. The total value of imports from the mainland was Rs. 25,98,394, a rise of
7*77 per cent., for which increased imports of Drugs, Grain, and Fodder largely account,
There was a marked decrease under Skins, and a considerable decrease under Coffee. Exports
likewise show a rise of 4 - 92 per cent, to Rs. 16,52,492, the increase being evenly distributed
among all commodities except Animals, Flour, Wrought Metal, Gingelly-seed, Silk Piece-
goods, and Treasure.
5. The total value of the import trade decreased from 527 lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees to 446f lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees , and of
the export trade from 427f to 404f lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees . Details will be found in paragraph 2.
6. One thousand four hundred and thirty-six merchant vessels of the net registered
tonnage of 3,233,H27 entered the Port, compared with 1,469 vessels of 3,134,101 tons in the-
previous year. The total number of country craft was 1,375 of 38,519 tons against 1,379 of
40,423 tons. Of meichant vessels 744 were British, 19 0 German, 144 British Indian, and 135
Erench. The percentage of shipping interest in the trade of Aden was -United Kingdom
12-53, India and Burmah 20-2, Colonies 1177, and Foreign Countries 55*5. The number of:
steamers that called at Aden was 1,510 compared with 1,558 the year before.
8. Public Works.
CIVIL WORKS.
The following works were either in progress or completed during the year :
1.—Civil Buildings.
The work of providing electric lights and fans in the Town Custom House, Bombay,. !
estimated at Rs 8,890, was commenced. The construction of a landing-slip and boat-shed on
the Oyster Rocks at K&rwdr was commenced and Rs. 3,131 were expended thereon.
u Tn^ me £ °^ the locatiou of tlie ^st Guard Fleet at Sivri, Bombay, estimated at
-d o W ^ S m P 1 ’ 0 ^ 688 * Quarters for three weigh-clerks at Belapur, estimated at
Rs. ^,904, were m progress. . At Mora, a bungalow for the Shewa Preventive Officer and
quarters for his karkuns and his menial establishment, which were estimated to cost Rs. 7,962,
Rs. 4,898 and Rs. 4,799, respectively, were commenced, and Rs. 4,961, Rs. 3,081 and Rs. 2,943
were ^pended thereon. During the year Rs. 841 were spent on water-supply from the
fchahdpada streams to the Salt establishment at Umberda, the total expenditure incurred to the
end of the year being Rs. 6,385.
connection with His Majesty^s Mint, Bombay (a) the extension of the east coining
e construction (£) of a stronghold for the east coining room, (c) of strongholds in the