Page 564 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

motored out to meet the Shaikh on the Rafaa road. He stayed a long time talking about various things and
made a complete volte face about a well which he ordered to be shut down before. Took the dogs out with
me. Had the Hakkens and Dr Tiffany and North to dinner, went off quite well except that N said that Bahrain
was a British possession which Hakken jumped on and wouldnt believe my careful explanation of what
Bahrain really is, of course it does take a bit of explaining. They argue that if it is not a British possession why
do I, an Englishman, practically rule the place in the Shaikh's name. We slept out last night but had to move
in owing to a sudden wind which nearly blew us out of our beds. Still very pleasant weather but dampish.
The Shaikh talked about his accounts which he as usual is making a muddle of.

Sunday [15 June]

Office. Very busy morning. Abdel Aziz Khunji came in and tried to get me to lease a piece of ground on the
sea road for 99 years at less than I wanted to get. I didnt, he is quite a decent old man but terribly old
fashioned. Got a long letter from a mad son of one of the Shaikhs, he said his household were trying to
poison him with dog poison. Sent the letter on to his father. Khalil Moayad called, he stayed a long time and
as usual told me that except himself and me there were no honest men in Bahrain, he told stories about the
members of the Biladya, all to their discredit but quite funny. He said as for letting Shaikh Mohamed try and
run the Biladya he wouldnt even trust him with a flock of goats. Abdu Ali came in also to talk about the
future of the schools. We have now paid off all the masters and as yet we have taken on no new ones. Mail
in as the boat came last night. A tiresome man brought a gazelle as a present to James, it is so awkward
getting these live presents, they always die. Motored along the Budeya road in the evening. Very dark misty
evening.

Monday [16 June]

Court. Heard that the Resident is to arrive tomorrow for a few hours. He has been a long time down the Gulf
trying to make one of the Shaikhs on the Trucial Coast agree to have an Air Force tank opposite his town, but
the Shaikh wont have it as he dislikes the idea of the Air Force coming and bothering him, and I dont blame
him! The Resident collected all the neighbouring shaikhs to persuade him to agree but he wouldnt and
refused to meet the Resident. When things got difficult he tried to abdicate but everyone to whom he
offered his throne refused to accept it. They thought of shelling his town, which I think would have been
quite scandalous, but at last one of the three men of war went out and captured eight of his pearling dhows,
and after that he came to terms. I feel sure it could have been arranged more easily. The Resident seems to
prefer the Navy to the Air Force. Dined with Major Holmes, Barden and Dr Holmes were there, played
Bridge. Hot but still a breeze. The fans and the ice chest make all the difference to ones comfort here in the
summer.

Tuesday [17 June]