Page 398 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

396

1929

They come every year. Went for a walk up to the Sha

in the afternoon.

Wednesday 2nd Jan.

A lot of people came in to call, Ahmed bin Khamis

Rashid and many others. The two Kadis called at the Ag

went over afterwards to see what Barrett thought of them

the old man but could not bear the young one. The young

very pushing and tried to talk down everyone else. In the
afternoon the two went out to call on the Shaikh. I sent

Seggar, my head clerk, with them. Persia is taking up a mo
defiant attitude about the question of passes, they say the

alter nothing as they do not recognise Bahrain as a State a

will refuse to admit Bahrain subjects to Persia who have pro

passports. Went to tennis at Mespers. The court was so slip

from the damp that it was impossible to play properly. All the tennis courts here are made of cement and it gets very
slippery. They are dear to build for that reason. Very few people there. Barrett is always so very untactful, he would
talk to me about the electric light contract knowing that Mespers have put in for it and are very keen on getting it
although we are not in favour of their having it. After all they are shipping agents principally and do not deal directly
in electric light or engineering.

Thursday 3rd [January]

Meeting of the Municipal Council instead of the one that should have been on Tuesday. Very dull and very
long, mostly about imports of vegetable ghee and short length bales of calico. The Shaikh did not attend. He
went out hunting. He appointed Zayani as President. I hear that the Shaikhs are very annoyed at his
appointing a merchant as president in his place when there are so many of the Shaikhs who could act for him.
Went in to see de Grenier after the meeting. He seemed rather cross. He is a tiresome person always getting offended
over something. In the afternoon we took the dogs out for a run to Essex point behind the car and people came to tea
and Bridge. Quite a cold day but nice out. Parke took the Court for me. He played his game in the tennis tournament
and won.