'The Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society. From January 1863 to December 1864. (Edited by the Secretary.) Volume XVII.' [‎285] (462/524)

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OF THE POLITICAL AGENT A mid-ranking political representative (equivalent to a Consul) from the diplomatic corps of the Government of India or one of its subordinate provincial governments, in charge of a Political Agency. AT ZANZIBAR.
285
is fertile, almost beyond any I have seen ; and the climate, which has
been most unjustly maligned, is pleasant and by no means unhealthy
Before my arrival here I had heard the most discouraging account of
the climate of Zanzibar. I was told that at certain seasons the heat was
oppressive, and that it was death for an European to sleep even a single
night in the country ; but I determined to judge for myself, and after
a year’s experience no doubt remains in my mind that, with ordinary
precautions, the climate of Zanzibar is as healthy as that of other
tropical climates ; it is never cold and never unpleasantly hot, as the
attached climate calendar (marked C) will show.
I have a country residence where I pass much of my time generally
in company with several friends. Two European gentlemen lately
made a lengthened tour through the interior of the island, and neither
they nor I, nor any friend who has visited me at my country house,
have suffered any evil effects*
I may be told that this statement is opposed to actual facts, that
several Europeans have been engaged by the Sultan to superintend
his sugar factory An East India Company trading post. , and with most disastrous results, and that a party of
English sailors, which made an expedition into the interior during the
late rebellion, suffered greatly from fever and lost several of their
number. I am well aware that accidents like these have occurred, but
they are all capable of explanation. The Sultan’s sugar estate is situated
in an extensive swamp, the sailors encamped in the open air without
any shelter from the sun by day or from the damp by night; but I
feel convinced that if ordinary prudence is exercised in the selection
of a site for a residence, on dry well raised ground, or, better still, on
the sea coast, the country will be found even more healthy than the
town.
The standard currency of Zanzibar is the German crown or Austrian
dollar, but that coin is becoming scarce.
Coinage. an( j the following have been declared
legal tender at the rates specified against each :—
German Crown
* .. »• •• • » «' •• •• * * *•
The gold ounce.
pound sterling
20 franc piece
10 do.
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