'Lord Curzon's Notes on Persia' [‎554v] (1110/1386)

48
The trade crosses the frontiers of three provinces—the North-West, the
Punjab, and Bengal—and the trade with Bengal was practically extinguished
in 1888-89 as the result of the military operations against the Thibetans in
Sikkim, having been diverted over the frontier of the North-Western Provinces.
Last year the trade with Bengal resumed its ordinary course. The whole
trade with Thibet is, however, insignificant in proportions and likely to remain
so.
Karenni and Zimme,
The trade practically consists of the import of teak timber floated down the
Salween river (000’s omitted in values) :
From Karenni.
From Zimme,
Tons.
Rs.
Tons.
Rs.
1886-87
. 79>746
3,155
49,073
1,232
•
1887-88
• 75.797
3,458
65,102
2,240
1888-89
, 9 2 .558
5.216
63,881
3,032
1889-90
• H.739
759
25,164
1,266
The exploitation of the forests of Upper Burma is said to have materially
interfered with the Salween timber trade and, as before remarked, the imposition
of the 7 per cent duty had the effect of bringing all available timber down before
the duty took effect.
Western China,
This head is a new feature in the returns of trade, the registration having
commenced in June 1889. Imports were trifling, amounting only to R138,173—
raw silk, grain, ponies, and hides being the principal items. The exports
consisted chiefly of raw cotton, value R447,000 out of a total of R526,288—
salt constituting the bulk of the remainder. It may reasonably be expected that
the trade will largely increase.
The subjoined list of imports and exports in the trans-frontier trade gives a
general idea of the relative commercial importance of each large article of trade
and of the principal countries with which trade is conducted :
Imports.
Rs.
(ooo’s omitted).
Animals :• Horses, cattle, sheep and goats, and others . 3,675
[Horses chiefly from Kabul and cattle from
Nepal.]
Drugs and medicines 764
[Charas chiefly from Ladak ; asafcetida and
other kinds from Kabul, Kashmir, and
Nepal.]
Fibrous products . . . . . .512
[Mainly from Nepal.]
Fruits and Nuts 2,586
[Most largely imported from Kabul and South
ern Afghanistan ; in smaller proportion from •
Kashmir and Nepal.]