‘Seistan’ [‎24r] (47/98)

3
Lord Eonaldshay liad with him Indian servants, many of them ill-clad;
such servants are useless for travelling in the snow and cold of Persia, and
give a had name to the country on their return to India. I was averse to Lord
Ronaldshay travelling at this time of the year, but he could not spare the time
and stay here any longer.
The following are a few items of commerical news ichich are suggestive of the
future trade prospects of this route.
During the past fortnight a caravan of 243 camels arrived here from
Eirjand for Quetta. This is the first caravan that has ever left Pirjand for
Quetta, they usually go by the Bunder Abbas route.
The caravan is excellently equipped. The camels are very fine, and are
in charge of an intelligent caravan bashi, Agha Muhammad. This man has
travelled to Meshed, Ashkabad and Tehran. He goes, he says, as the pioneer
from Birjand, and on his report of the road, and of Quetta, will depend whether’
all the caravans from Birjand, some 6,k00 camels, will abandon the Bundar Abbas
route in favour of the Quetta route.
Every arrangement has been made in order that his report may be favour
able.
On August 4th I wrote to Lipton Co., asking them to send a representa
tive to Persia to study the tea trade. Prom Calcutta I hear the matter
has been referred to England.
4th August.—Wrote to the Egerton TYollen Mills, suggesting that they
should send an Agent to Persia. Received no answer. Messrs Elahie Bux,
General Merchants, Meerut, inquired about the Seistan route and Persian trade.
Their letter was answered fully.
10 th September. — I wrote to the Rosa Sugar Works, suggesting that they
should send me samples. This they have done, and it has resulted in many
camel-loads of sugar being bought from them by the firm of Muhammad AH
Brothers.
10th September — Wrote to the Meerut Soap Co., and have heard that
samples of candles have been sent, 'these have not arrived, owing to the
impossibility of carrying all the parcels for Seistan by our postal sowars.
Wth September. —Addressed the Tirhoot Indigo Planters Association. Have
received from them samples of indigo. The samples have been much approved
of by Persian dyers.
Sent samples of Seistan wool to Messrs. Forbes & Co., Karachi. They have
replied that many of their clients are interested in the wool trade, which they
wish to attract in place of allowing it go towards Russia.
Wrote to the Bombay Chamber of Commerce for an assortment of samples.
Each sample to be labelled as I ordered. They have taken great pains and have
sent me nearly one hundred samples, which the Birjand traders are anxiously
awaiting. '1 hese have not arrived, ai d cannot, as there is no special parcel
camel post between here and Quetta, which I hope there will be shortly.
Wrote to the Associated Chamber of Commerce, London, asking for samples
to form a show-room at Meshed. They have replied that they have printed my
letter and distributed it to the various Chambers in England associated with
them, also have given it to the press.
Suggested to the Cawnpur Chamber of Commerce that they should send a
representative. They replied that they would prefer the Persians coming to
them, but agreed to pay for the luxury, by granting free railway tickets from
Quetta to Cawnpur to such Persians.
I have endeavoured to induce the Imperial Bank of Persia to establish a
branch here. Their efforts have not been successful. They say the matter must
be approached with the utmost caution. After five months’ caution there is no
sign of any movement on their part. Meanwhile, great trouble is experienced
by traders. I have had to issue barats or cheques, in order to send the revenue