Page 1720 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

1717

1944

Saturday 19th June

Returned from Jidda early in the morning, lovely morning & the place
looking very beautiful, Jidda with the sun on it & deep blue water made a
perfect mixture. Sailed over in the houri, Shs S & A came in & stayed
some time, Sulman most concerned at Wavell being made Viceroy, thinks
that all will now go to military & little states be left out in the cold.
Hewitt came in for awhile. After tea took Snow to see ABJ's house in Mhq
with a view to hiring it for womens clinic & school of work, quite a nice
plan but poor building. He will probably demand a very high price.
Holmes & Matthews came in before dinner & stayed some time. A hot and
very dry day, simoon. Acquired three boats off Maxwell Darling - a gift.

Sunday 20th June

Barber.

Office all the morning. Hot dry day. Had a long visit from Said Syed.

Sketched at Gassari & went to the Bank on the way back, found Dalton
there. Stayed some time discussing local gossip etc.

Monday 21st June

Fort.

Spent four hours 9-1, at the agency discussing with W & Smith various
food & supply problems, price of wheat, imports of cigarettes, new
regulations re price goods etc etc. Saw Snow when I got back &
interviewed buyer for the hospital. A shifty looking man but a natural
squint does not mean dishonesty in Bn - there are so many. Rode in
afternoon, to Hussain's Garden. The TTs came in just about 7 so stayed
to early dinner as I was giving the Guns a lift to cinema in my car,