Page 608 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

Court. Shaikh Mohamed came in, sent by the Shaikh, to talk to me about building the road across to
Muharrak. The Shaikh and in fact everybody is desperately keen on it though it will cost lacs of money and
wont bring in anything. I explained that the revenue this year would be well below the estimated amount
and I saw no possibility of cutting expense so if any work was to be done it would have to be paid for from
our reserve funds. This didnt seem to worry Mohamed who is terribly mean himself but always very large
and generous with public or other peoples money. Mohamed also talked about the return of the Dawasir,
they want to come back with no questions asked about the accounts of their divers who are known to have
been abominably swindled over their accounts. I see no point in giving in to them as they have always been a
nuisance and we got on better without them. The Shaikh doesnt like to see their town falling into ruins.
Mohamed was quite sensible about the matter and said he would try to find means of compromise. Difficult.
Motored in the girls school. Shaikh Abdulla has gone off hunting women and bustard on the mainland. Every
year he goes over there and nearly always brings back a new wife from the Arab tribes on the coast, usually
he divorces them after a few months.

Sunday [2 November]

Went along to Walker and asked him if he could get me some rose cuttings and carnation plants from Basra
and Mohammerah, he said he would try. At Mohammerah they have lots of lovely roses and I dont see why
they shouldnt do well here. Interviewed some of the leading Shias about school affairs. They are all fed up
with the goings on of Abdu Ali. Mail arrived. Jordan came along and spent a long time with me about electric
figures for the proposed extension to Muharrak. Barden called to talk about the question of the new bank,
he now thinks of buying a piece of sea outside the sea wall which is to be sold. Went out to Aali in the
afternoon, we have started boring a new well so I hope we shall have better luck there. Mohamed, our cook,
ill with fever, a great nuisance especially as he keeps order among the servants and without him there is a lot
of squabbling. The ayah and the table boy dont hit it off. Parke came in before dinner on his way to dine at
the Agency. We were about 40 up at bridge between us this month, that is about three pounds, quite useful.

Monday [3 November]

Parke took the Court as the Shaikh was coming in and going to the Agency about some business. Saw the
temporary headmaster of the Shia school, a conceited young man who wanted more pay. Then to the
Agency with the Shaikh where we discussed the matter of a man who came here from Kattar and is wanted
there by the Shaikh, as he is really a Bahrain subject the question is complicated. Discussed getting on with
building the sea road and also the matter of the Dawasir, the Shaikh had very poor arguments about it and
admitted it would be unfair on the wretched divers. Before we went over the Shaikh sent for Parke and said
he was to send some prisoners to work on the roads, Parke hates using any of them and was very put out so
replied that if we put in more men he would be able to supply them. Sulman and I decided to fill the prison
from the court so as to get some labour. Gardened in the afternoon, then went to the Biladya garden and
out for a while along the Budeya road. Parke and Walker came in to play Bridge. Went over to see Prior's
curtains which he got from London for the drawing room, they are very nice, pink, with pelmets, but they do
look like a hotel or a club. The Agency drawing room is the only good room in the house, a very big well
proportioned room, the rest are horrid.