Page 575 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

most unfortunate affair. He came to see me himself and said they had had a very good trip and had been
greatly honoured by the Amir. Apparently they were given the very best of everything. Sent in my Annual
Report, 60 pages in all, a heavy job getting it done. Wrote letters in the afternoon as it was too hot to lie
down then went up to the Palace to get the Budget signed. The Shaikh seemed pleased with it and had no
objections. M went out in the car with James and the ayah and two of the Mission nurses who had been to
tea with her as it is her birthday. The Shaikh spoke of the photo of him in the Daily Mirror which I sent to
him, it said that he had an annual income from the pearls of a quarter of a million pounds and I suggested
writing to the Editor to contradict this. He agreed but he was very funny over it, he said to me "Why do you
think they say this of me?" I didnt know, "because they know how great are the expenses of the Shaikh of
Bahrain and they think that this sum would be suitable for his income." He had evidently prepared these
remarks beforehand. Parke and Prior to dinner. They got on very well and we had a pleasant amusing
evening. Decided to reduce the Indian Police to about 60 men. They are so very expensive. Hot day and
very damp.

Thursday 17th July

Court instead of on Monday. Sulman attended. He brought me back a coffee pot from Hassa and a little
brass incense burner. He seemed to have greatly enjoyed the trip. Much better having him in the Court than
his relative. They changed the Agency time 50 minutes, rather awkward, it made such a long day. In the
afternoon we went out with Mohamed Khalil and Howe, one of the R.A.F. men to the Landing ground and
messed about there for a long time seeing about some circles and things being put down, as usual they want
us to do it for them. Dined at the Agency, a party for the Doctor. There were thirteen, a thing I much dislike.

Friday [18 July]

Usual day, breakfast at Major Holmes. He is going to England for a few weeks. Bank, and tennis at Agency, a
lot of R.A.F. about, I have a great dislike for them, they are too inclined to treat the place as if it belonged to
them, they are such a very different type to the old Flying Corps, of all the many we have met here there
have only been two who were really gentlemen and they were senior men from the proper army. Nice cool
day again, a shamaal blowing.

Saturday 19th July 1930

Court. Howe and the other R.A.F. man came in the morning and wasted my time for about an hour, these Air
Force people never seem to understand that other people are busy they themselves never seem to have
anything to do. They come and dither about and never seem capable of making up their minds. Howe is a
pleasant well meaning fellow but most irritating when it comes to doing business. Motored in the evening
and then had people to dinner, the Jordans, Howe and Prior, we didnt play Bridge but sat and talked and
listened to the gramaphone. Hot night.