Page 1799 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

1796

1944

are all for registering births & deaths which a few years ago would have
been disapproved. Discussed the question of full & half rations - they
merely said the present ration was not enough & now nobody would give
true facts.

Kidd came to see me re SE job. Called for Smith & went out to Awali to
dine with L.H. He had all the Ferry Port officers & the US naval lads &
some company men for drinks so dinner was late. Had a talk with a very
nice lad, Johnston. Bridge with LHs & Russell Browne - good bridge.

Thursday 1st June

Didnt go to Fort, worked in office then to a meeting at Agency about
labour problems - as usual it consisted of a lot of talk in which
Shillington showed up badly and no constructive ideas at all. All are
short of workers and apparently about 300 more men are needed to enable
the war jobs to be finished off. Hick talked a good deal but had nothing
to say. The meeting lasted two hours. Sh Mohd was in, wants to go byair
to take Khalifah to Damascus so that he can complete arrangements to buy
Muhd Zaturn's garden. Went to see Steele at his office. Seemed rather
muddle headed. To Jidda in the afternoon, the section under Jama very
smart & had made a new road up to my house. Quite a good idea & well
done.