PETROLEUM TRADE. 



221 



If Captain Yule's statement regarding the quantity of petroleum 

 imported into Lower Burma is correct, there seems to be hardly 

 an increase noticeable up to 1884. The import into Lower Burma 

 would therefore have remained stationary for a considerable number 

 of years, special fluctuations of course always excluded. This view 

 is in some way supported by the returns for the period 1880 to 1884 

 which show only small fluctuations. 



From 1884 the import rose steadily, till in 1889 it had treble 

 the quantity of 18S2, or within seven years an increase of about 

 300 per cent, in the quantity of petroleum transported to Lower Burma 

 took place. Since that year the import has steadily risen, but 

 during the last two years it jumped to the unprecedented height of 

 17,455,900 viss, that is to say, an increase of 600 per cent., as 

 compared with 1880-81 is noted. 



Section 3. — Export of petroleum and its products from 



Rangoon. 

 "Rangoon oil" has been known a good many years and has 

 obtained a high reputation as a lubricant throughout the world, and it 

 appears that the demand for it was always greater than the supply. 



The following table will show the export of mineral oil, including 

 crude oil, refined petroleum, and pararfine wax, obtained as a waste- 

 product in refining the crude oil. As all the petroleum destined for 

 export (except such small quantities as go overland to China), has 

 to pass Rangoon, the subjoined table will show the total foreign 

 trade in petroleum from Burma. 



Table showing the export of Burmese petroleum and other products 

 derived therefrom, prom Rangoon, during the period 1880-81 

 to 1893-94. 







Export of mineral 







OIL (CRUDE AND 





Financial Year, 



refined). 





Gallons at lbs. 8"83. 







217,625 







237,440 







363,490 



Export of paraffins 

 wax. 



Cwts, 



mi. 



13 



Nil. 



( 26 7 ) 



