Coll 29/5 'Seistan: vice consulate appointments (Zabul)' [‎18v] (37/185)

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According* to present practice the Vice Consul only enlist
informally on the Persian Government; which means a lounge suit*
It is likely however that, if a Vice Consulate is established,
he will be required to call in the regulation dress; that is,
a morning coat with a silk hat or white topee*
The only game likely to be enjoyed at Birjand is tennis*
Some of the Persian residents in the town have lately started
playing after drawing on' the only feasible source for balls-
His Britannic Majesty’s Vice Consul* No doubt they would be
glad to be Invited to play on the tennis court attached to the
Kelata (which at present needs preliminary attention)*
A dinner jacket is unlikely to be needed at Birjand, but
In view of the possibility of the Vice Comul staying at
Meshed for a short time, and there being invited to functions,
a tail coat and a dinner jacket should be brought* Other
requirements are the ordinary lounge suit, grey flannels etc*
of everyday wear*
There is no tailor in Birjand who can do any but the
simplest repairs. If necessary a suit might be made in Meshed.
But it is advisable to bring the Whole of one’s wardrobe
complete on tne assumption that no additions can be made to
it in ast Persia* The only material sold in the .town which
the present vice Consul has found to be usable is cotton stuff
for summer pyjamas*
GiKKRAL CO-TT OF LrVCTQ .
: ‘ r r • • . , . ,
(Present rate of exchange is.rou^ily Rupee 1/- Rials 10)*
(a) FOOD .
The present Vice Consul has kept a cow
(price Rials 600) and supplied himself with
milk* He has found the best policy with
chickens (present price Rials 10) is to buy
them alive and feed them before eating;
other ise they are almost uneatable for
leanness* Eggs at present cost 4 for Rial 1*
During the winter they at times became
practically unobtainable. Mutton is usually
procurable (present price Rials 20 per maund
of 3^ lbs) and if chosen with discretion is
good* Produce of the Kelata garden depends
upon the winter* If snow and rain fall
abundantly the*garden is well watered all
through the summer by the "Karez" described,
and the following fruits and vegetables'grow
in plenty: mulberries, figs, grapes, quinces,
apples, pears, peaches, nectarines, apricots,
melons, almonds, walnuts; peas, beans, spinach,
potatoes, carrots, lettuce, radishes. If'the
winter is dry, the garden produces virtually
nothing* *>- - „
The following stores are recommended*
Visitors during my time have generally liked
beer and whisky, and have appreciated
Sparklets Soda water: with the addition
perhaps of a gin and hitters* Persian vodka
is obtainable in Meshed (present price Rials 26
per quart bottle) and the best white Shiraz
wine (present price Rials 26) is pleasant*
Persian beer is unobtainable at present except
Tehran*