Page 1733 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

1730

1944

call and I, Dixon & Smith had a discussion about food supplies, a very
urgent matter as usual. We are being given barley to eke out the wheat.
Ordered next

[No further entries until 19th September]

Sunday 19th September

Left Karachi about 8am & arrived about 1pm, a smooth trip & only a little
bumpy near Sharjah. A crowd of people to meet us. Lunched & dined with
the Gunns & heard all the local gossip. Wonderfully cool, a nice Shamaal
blowing but according to all reports very hot some time back. Went out
to call on Sh Sulman at Rafaa, didnt think he looked very well, he was
intensly astonished when I told him of my trek but said I had too much
stomach before. Slept on the roof. All seems to be well & the place
looking very green & fresh. Sulman said the food position was good & as
usual enthused over the conditions here. The house very clean & tidy but
from all accounts the prices of local food stuff has soared very high.

Monday 20th September

Office, spent some time at the customs looking into the food position &
general affairs, an incessant flow of callers, Arabs & others, to see me
which took a lot of time. Looked over papers, all seems well.

Drove to Gasari after tea and the TTs came in.

Tuesday 21st September

Rode up to the Fort & round about, to hospital & elsewhere. Police doing
one hour only, 5.30 - 6.30 so didnt see them parade. Everything seemed
alright. Office, opening at 9 in Ramadhan. Crowds of people came in to
call and I, Dixon & Smith had a discussion about food supplies, a very