Page 500 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

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1929

Bahrain, only about half a dozen who can read and write and they are mostly not suitable to teach. Went out for a drive
in the afternoon, didnt go to the Mission, tried a few strokes of golf with the Doctor who is very keen on it. I should
rather like to learn. The Doctor came in to tea and Parke came in later after being at the Mission.

Tuesday [26 November]

Went to a place called Galali in the morning with the Doctor to see about a well which has caused a very serious
epidemic of malaria from which over 50 people have died. Had the well shut down and went into some of the houses
to see the people, really a terrible state of things, in some houses there were half a dozen people down with it lying in
rows on the ground looking ghastly. I was very angry with the owner of the well who when I spoke about closing it
said it would harm his cultivation. I said "what about the 50 people who have died from the effects of it?" and all he
replied was that everyone must die some day. A good mornings work. The people were delighted at our closing the
well. Motored in the afternoon. D.G. came in after tea. I find him very trying, he is so soapy in manner.

Wednesday 27th November 1929

Busy morning. Called on the Kadi Shaikh Abdulla and talked about school affairs and others. He suggested we should
let the school use their band instruments which I held up. They bought them some time ago and were permitted to use
them but then people began saying that a band was forbidden according to the Koran and so we put a stop to it.
Meeting of some people who own gardens in Sitra about having the water channel mended. Interviewed the owner of
the house which we have leased for the girls' school and tried to get him to do the repairs, but couldnt. The Shaikh was
in but I didnt see him. Prior is ill, he has got a go of dysentry, very tiresome for him, he is in bed. Parke and D.G.
called after tea, they seem to come a great deal these days, rather more than I like especially D.G. The Strakers came
to Bridge. They are leaving in January and their successor is coming at once, not a married man and what is known as
a "hard case" I dislike such, it means in ordinary language people who drink. I am sorry that there will not be a woman
at Mespers. The Patrick Stewart, the telegraphs ship, came in and they sent us a wire asking us to dinner so we
hurriedly asked Parke and Barden to dine in order not to have to go. A bothersome job going out and always a very
bad dinner. People who come here on boats seem to think that we are delighted to go out to sea in a small launch and
have a very bad meal on a very uncomfortable boat.

Thursday [28 November]

I made a muddle as writing back, the people came to dinner today not yesterday.

Meeting of the Muharrak Biladya. We went into the matter of the demolishing of Shaikh Abdulla's
market. The secretary and the members seemed to have nothing to say. After that we told them that their services
were no longer required and that there would be a new election. They looked very surprised and very angry. I enjoyed
the meeting and I think Abdulla did too, he fairly let himself go about the market affair. Quite like Cromwell and the
Parliament. Parke took my court. Went over to see Prior when I got back, he is still in bed and looked very seedy.
Most of yesterdays news occurred today.