Page 404 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

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1929

back home. We were meant to go to Budeya but I was glad we didnt. Drove my car all the way. It went splendidly.
The S.N.O.'s secretary, quite a young naval officer, talked as if he was the Admiralty itself. He was extremely
indiscreet and gossipped about the rows between the last Resident and the S.N.O. They had several. It ended with
complaints to the Admiralty and Govt of India. Dickson came in when we got back and stayed for a long time talking,
most interesting. He was here as Political Agent five years ago and evidently took a great deal of interest in the place.
Ayesha came to call and asked to see Dickson who we had hidden in the hall when she arrived. They got on well.
Ayesha came over with the intention evidently of seeing all the strangers. She looked very well in a gorgeous cloth of
gold dress and white and silver thobe. Her old mother has been ill, no wonder as they were feeding her on six aspirin
tablets at a time. A wonder she survived it. We told her it was excessive. When Dickson started talking about Bahrain
he became awfully interesting. Previously he was in Irak during and before the big rebellion in the same district to
Daly. They loathed eachother and both adopted exactly opposite policy. So difficult for the Arabs. One sees out here
what a lot of difference the entirely personal likes and dislikes of the white men make in general policy.

Wednesday 16th [January]

Shaikh Abdulla, Khalifa, came in in the morning and as we were still at breakfast he came up and sat with us and drank
coffee. Then the Shaikh came and stayed some time in the office and then went over to the Agency to say goodbye.
Went out to lunch on the man of war with the S.N.O. It looked perfectly smooth but a sudden squall blew up and it got
very rough. Our launch bounced about very unpleasantly and the engine kept on stopping. Disagreable. Arrived at the
Triad and went up to the Ward Room. M knew one of the officers who she had met at Basra. I didnt enjoy the trip at
all as the ship was moving about a bit and I felt although not actually sick that I might be. On our way back we passed
the P.R. and his party coming out to the Triad. Went to Mespers in the afternoon. The Barretts were there. There is
feeling on the part of the Strakers about a dinner that the Barretts gave. Strakers have one Campbell staying with them,
one of their Directors, the Barretts asked the Strakers to dine but Mrs S wrote saying that they had Campbell with them.
Barrett sent a verbal message saying that he thought Campbell should call on the Resident. He wouldnt so the Strakers
couldnt go. This is a typical row in a place like this.

Thursday [17 January]

Parke took the Court and I had an interview with Campbell and Straker about the Landing Company Contract. Told
them a few home truths that seemed rather to surprise them. Sulman came in and told me what transpired between
Shaikh Isa and the Resident. Apparently the old Shaikh let himself go on the subject of Abdel Nebi Bushiri and
Ahmed bin Khamis, saying that they were a public danger politically. The Resident replied that if that was so it was up
to the Ruler to dispose of them. Also worried me for more pay as usual and described how the Resident had snubbed
the Hindu merchants who came to him about a reduction in rates. He said they were lucky to be allowed to trade here
which must have surprised them a lot as most Residents are very kind to them. Motored to Essex point and found a
turtle on the shore which we brought home and put in the tank in the garden. People came to tea and Bridge.

Friday [18 January]
Stayed in bed very late and then went down the bazaar. Met Pennings at Ashrafs who told us that a certain Mr Charles
Crane, a very well known American millionaire was coming to Bahrain on his way down the Gulf en route for China.