Page 379 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

377

1928

Sh Mohamed called to say good bye to P.R. but as he is not going he called here. Yesterday PR & Barrett went out to
the Shaikh's & got his signature to the precious letter about Persian business. Bin Hindi called about Khamamis &
some business of a bit of land. Ali b Hussein called. Discussed idea of steel sheds in the market here. Far cheaper in
the long run than these straw buildings. Went out to Sakhrir in the afternoon. Got through a lot of business with the
Shaikh, but to most of the things we discussed he said, "now that the P.R. is here we can ask him". He discussed the
question of de G wearing Arab dress, he said "I neither order him to wear it nor do I order him not to wear it" - non
commital as usual. Mail sailed. Rain in the afternoon & evening. Very gray depressing day.

Monday 19th March

Various people called, a Syrian journalist, who said what an unpleasant place he thought Bahrain - he said the people
were savages with no education, quite a pleasant fellow, a Christian but said he found it convenient to pretend to be a
Mohamedan out here. Abdel Aziz Khunji & Captain of the Kurdistan & Abdulla bin Jabr.

Drove out to see Mespers oil store after lunch in land car which broke down opposite Fort.

One of the prisoners escaped, a great deal of excitement about it & all the Police turned out to search.

Tennis at Mission, tea at the Dames. The Hakkens & de Grenier came to dinner. Gray cloudy day but no
rain.

Tuesday [20 March]

Office. The Shaikh came in in the afternoon & wasted most of the afternoon. He composed a reply to Bin Saoud about
the Dawasir claim & then we went across to the Agency & sent it off. He was very slow & took a long time saying his
prayers, in my office, in the middle. Afterwards went to play Bridge at Holmes. Dull bridge.

Wednesday 21st [March]

Went over to Muharrak with M in the morning. Went in a joliboat. Quite a nice day. Motored across to the other side
of the island to a place where they beach boats to see about a case. Got back just in time for the tide. In the afternoon
we went to the garden, moved the cornflower seedlings. M went to tea with Tiffah & went down to see de G, who was
out. Smith came round after tea.

Thursday 22 March

Parke came in the morning. Discussed the question of prisoners escaping - rather a lot seem to do so. Abdulla bin Jabr
came about a case. Went over to the Agency. The P.R. indisposed, in bed. Went over the Khalid case with Barrett.
The PR has been talking about a general amnesty - cant think why, a most mischievous idea. Really I hope he goes
soon before doing any more harm. Walked up to the Palace garden. Rather hot out. People to tea & Bridge. We got
two Bridge fours. They fired the guns for the Eid tomorrow, there was much doubt as to which day it would be. The