Page 1833 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

1830

1944

back, caught a lorry speeding on the way back. V.P. came over before dinner & we
dined at Agency, rather a boring evening. The politicians have acquired a habit of
dull declamation which doesnt encourage conversation.

Friday 20th October

Didnt do much. Gardened in the morning, went over to Muharraq in afternoon & then
Eyers, of the Iranian bank, came to call. Dont care for the fellow & I regard the
whole affair as rather a peculiar transaction, G.P. acted very strangely about it
pushing the new bank into Bahrain and making so much secrecy about it.

Saturday 21st October

High tide Jida did much harm record.

Spent all the morning going over the Refinery with HH. It was quite interesting
especially the long canal to the sea where salt water is drawn up to the refinery,
then to the Manager's house for refreshments. I had Narayan with me, wild & wooly
beared construction men peeped at us around corners looking like some savage African
tribe - attired in shorts & nothing else.

After tea went out to see the TTs & then to library. Hick and Clausen, of the P.O.
to dinner, the latter on his way home, ill, after under a year in India. He looked
very bad, terribly thin & tired but it was nice to see him.

Ronald Cross, now High Commissioner for Australia, came in after dinner, also
travelling through returning to Canberra. He had aged a lot but looked very elegant,
tall thin & good looking but now with grey hair. Hick evidently didnt like him &
showed his inferiority complex. Unfortunately I did not know that Cross was here or
else we would have put them up. His talk was interesting but rather depressing.

Sunday 22nd October