Page 297 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

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1927

a garden. Neither will meet the other party which makes it very awkward. Couldnt settle it so have asked them to appear
together. Went to garden in afternoon & to dinner with Pack. Always most excellent food & specially good bread rolls &
French coffee. Played 3 handed Bridge & then poker, rather boring but there were 7 people so two tables not possible.

Friday [23 September]

Deputation of Indian Mohamedans called in the morning, headed by Aslaf, to protest against being left out of the election.
Only property owners are voters & their community only possesses 8 men who own property. Afterwards went by car to
Sennad where I looked at some gardens about which there is a dispute & then across the causeway, dry at high tide, to Sitra
Island where I spent the day mostly trying to persuade the people to take up land at a nominal rent on long lease in order to
increase cultivation. They were most suspicious & would agree to nothing thinking that somehow the Govt would "do" them.
Had lunch with the chief Bahraini, Hassan bin Mazook, quite good, chicken on rice, bread, dates & milk. The dates were ripe
on the trees & delicious but make one very thirsty. Had a lovely bathe in the spring, lovely clear water & some big fish in it.
Got home after sunset very stiff from riding a donkey all over the place. Sitra donkeys are splendid animals. Took some
photos.