Page 386 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat
P. 386
384
1928
Mohamed Sherif called, explaining that he had merely come to call & had no ulterior motives, actually he didnt talk of
any business of his own. Went to the wakf Department & looked over the accounts. They have been doing a certain
amount but they didnt know in the least how much they had in the safe or how the accounts stood. Postmaster called
about opening a post office in Muharrak. Went a walk
Monday [16 April]
Intended going to tennis at the Mission but found nobody there so met Holmes & Rhoades who motored us to Yatim's
d
garden. Had a very pleasant drive. Court. Sh. Ishak called, he is the Persian who sits on the petty Joint Court. Moh
Zayani called. Calm day, coolish. Abdel Ali called, they all say they dont want me to go on leave.
Tuesday [17 April]
Worked in office all the morning & didnt go to Muharrak Biladya. Smith & Straker came to tennis on Agency Court,
afterwards Bridge.
Wednesday 18th [April]
Sh Abdulla called before breakfast & stayed an hour, he talks most amusingly, we discussed how things would go on
while I am on leave - rather awkward as Parke & de G are on bad terms, also Parke & Merza Ali who will act for
Barrett when he is on recess for 3 months in the summer. Sh Abdulla urged the necessity of getting someone to act for
me, not Parke as he says P has a bad manner with the Arabs & wont ever listen to reason or arguments. Busy morning
in the office.
Tennis at Mespers & Bridge. Dined with de Grenier, also present Holmes. A very good dinner & quite
well done & clean. Played Bridge & then listened to gramophone. Hot night. The Barretts returned from their trip in
the horrid little boat.
Thursday 19th [April]
Court. Shaikh came in for about an hour so got some things settled. Went over to the Agency to see Barrett. She was
in bed, ill, no wonder.
I got a bad headache from sun in the garden & stayed in bed from after lunch.
Friday 20th [April]