Page 626 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

624

1931

originally dedicated for this purpose. Y.K. was

than usual. Drove out in the afternoon and then went

Mission, their usual annual Christmas Tea, the de

he seemed very sulky and not at all the bridegroom

in a new Ford car, latest model, which they have

arrived with the French Admiral, Deville, and we

the evening to meet them, two officers were with

spoke English. I liked them, the Admiral is a

no "appearance" at all, but quite pleasant. We
only M and Dr Tiffany were there they didnt get

Wednesday 31st December

Went down to the Joint Court in the morning, the Shaikh was rather late and there was a big mob of divers waiting
outside the place to see him. Prior was there, had a talk with Rashid and Sulman and suggested to them that the best
thing would be to suggest that if the merchants did not pay or settle with the divers in a few days they should give
them all free papers for the season. The Shaikh took a very decided line and carried out my idea, Abdulla came in and
looked very angry at not being consulted. He is all against the latest move. Went up to the palace with the Shaikh
and the French Admiral called on him there, the Shaikh then returned his call at the Agency. They got on very well
and made quite a lot of conversation. In the afternoon we took James out in the car for a drive and then after tea
went to call on the de Greniers he seemed somewhat less cross, she complained a good deal about the house and
the noise and the dogs etc etc. Dinner party at Mespers in the evening, all the French officers were there and all the
English but only Tiffany from the Mission. A very good dinner, afterwards we played roulette and then they did some
sort of acting, Time, Father Christmas and all that sort of thing and then had a most wonderful Christmas tree in one
of the rooms. The party went on very late. Really very well done.

Thursday 1st Jan 1931, New Year's Day

Stayed late in bed, we have had such a number of late nights. In the morning the Agency had the usual show, all the
Arabs, Indians, Persians, Shaikhs and Europeans go to call there, each party at a different time. Shaikh Mohamed
came to call on me and stayed some time and all the Indians and the Arabs came in here on the way from the Agency.
Shaikh Isa came across from Muharrak, Prior said he looked very shaky so perhaps he is really not going to last much