Page:Provincial geographies of India (Volume 4).djvu/176

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been validated.
160
TRADE AND COMMERCE
[ch.

woollen goods (over £20,000). Germany was by far the largest foreign (as distinct from British) buyer of rice, taking 50,000 tons, valued at £780,000. Besides a small quantity of rice bran and teak, she also took nearly 10,000 tons of beans. In imports to Burma from Europe (exclusive of the United Kingdom), as already noted, Germany was second only to Holland and in exports was easily first. But only two German vessels came to Rangoon last year.

Overland trade. Overland trade is carried on with western China and Siam, in about equal proportions. The volume of trade is comparatively small, approaching in value £2,000,000 a year each way. Trade is registered at frontier stations. As there is no railway communication, caravans of mules and pack bullocks are the principal means of transport. The only imports of interest are raw silk from China and elephants from Siam. Except jadeite of which about 600 cwt. goes to China, exports are somewhat dull, raw cotton, twist, and yarn, and piece goods being the only articles of any note.

For statistical purposes, trade with unadministered Kachin country, the Shan States, and Karenni is registered at many stations. The imports of interest are lead from the Bawdwin mines, letpet (pickled tea), potatoes, thanatpet (for cigar wrappers) and oranges. From Karenni comes a fair quantity of wolfram. Piece goods are practically the only articles sent in exchange.

(II) LIGHTHOUSES

The coast of Burma is sufficiently well lighted. The entrance to the harbour of Akyab is marked by a lighthouse on Savage Island. Fifteen miles away is Oyster Island. South of Cape Negrais are Alguada and China Bakir, at the mouth of the China Bakir or To River. Eastern Grove marks the east entrance of the Rangoon River. In the Bay of Bengal, two miles from the Cocos, is