Page 397 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

395

1928

enterprising of him, the Strakers, Smith, two women from the Mission, and ourselves. Played Bridge, against the
Strakers. Got very annoyed with one of the Dawasirs in the morning about a case of a negro slave who he pretended
was a diver. There was no doubt about the man having been bought as a slave. We got him away from them and put
him into the Police which annoys them very much.

Sunday 16th [December]

Went over to Muharrak in the morning in a launch as the sea was so smooth. Went first to the Shaikh's and stayed with
him for about two hours. He was not well and in his bedroom on the top of the house looking very seedy. He had not
dyed his beard lately and it looked quite white in parts. Got a good deal of business done. As usual he asked for more
money. He is never satisfied. He had fever and his arm was sore from the insulin injections so all the time one of the
servants sponged his arms with cold water. Afterwards called on Ali bin Seggar and asked him about being on the
Diving Court. He agreed after some discussion. Got back at lunch time and found de Grenier here very fussed because
I had forgotten to mention him, as Port Officer, in the proclamation about Passport Regulations. He has such a

Tuesday 1st January 1929. New Year's Day

[RIGHT SIDE OF PAGE TORN AND MISSING]

Had the office open and had to go down early

I issued a circular yesterday about the office

though after such a late night last night I should

lay in bed. The Agency had their show. First the

to call, Shaikh Isa and all of them, then they had

all the leading merchants and notables. I didnt go

first wo shows but later on with the English peo

all so badly managed that the Arab show went on t

and when the white people turned up, as they had

twelve oclock, Barrett didnt appear. The Agency

remarkably bad at arranging their entertainments.

such a thick damp mist that one couldnt see the se

freed slaves came and danced in front of the house