"ملف ٢٠/٨: شؤون دولة مسقط: احتجاج العمانيين" [و‎‎١‎٦‎٨] (٦٣٤/٣٣٥)

Note on the purchase end export of detes from the interior
of Omen.
Detes ere imported into Muttra by selling vessels from
Rustaq, Nizwsh, Nskhel, Wadi Maawelvie the Batineh coast ports
of Barkaft, Maanaa, ^uwaiq and Sib« They are also imported into
Muttra from Wataiya, Hajar, Head, Panjah, Nabha, Bidbid, vSurur
Kele, Bir, Kobe, Khebar, Sameil, Wadi bin Ruweh, Tau, Nizwah
and from the interior of Sharkiyeh on camels.
They are imported into Muscat by sailing vessels from the
same ports stated above.
A duty of 5 per cent is levied and is paid by the purchaser
either at one of these ports when shipped or at Muscat or Muttra.
Before the disturbed state of the interior of Oman
British Indian merchants living on the Batinah Coast ports used
to go in the interior to purchase dates but since then they have
stopped doing so. They have also stopped giving large amounts
on loan. Purchases are now made by them through the camel
owners of the ports who act as brokers for them. These brokers
buy dates from the people in the interior at a certain rate
agreed to by the British merchants end deliver them at these
ports. The British merchants in turn send them either direct to
India or to Muscat and Muttra for shipments to India. The
direct export from these ports is insignificant.
The cost is generally paid in goods, such as rice. Sugar,
Piece Goods, coffee and Twist and Yarn. It is sometimes paid in
cash also.
During the period of 7/ar the dates were shipped to India
in sailing vessels only owing to the absence of steamers and
higher rates of freight charges prevailing at the time. This
year the B.I.S.N.Coy. having lowered the rates slightly some
shipments have been made by steamers but chiefly they are sent
by sailing vessels.