Page 648 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

646

1931

and a big piece of the Agency pier was broken and part of the end of it washed away. The sight along the sea road was really
very fine, such huge waves breaking over it. Parke came in and had a drink. Went early to bed. One of the windows in the
drawing room burst open and the wind upset everything but no damage done. It will hurt the garden a lot I am afraid.

Friday 6th March 1931

Bank in the morning, cold day and a strong shamaal but not so high a tide as there was last night. Wrote letters in afternoon
and then to the Agency. Prior thought of not having a party but I told him people would be sorry to miss it so he invited them
as usual, the drawing room is still out of action as the floor is not down yet but we sat in the hall which was very cold and
drafty in spite of an electric heater. Very few of the Mission and Walker also didnt attend.

Saturday [7 March]

Court. Sulman talked about the Resident's letter to The Shaikh in which he suggested a cut of ten per cent in the allowances
and also the stopping of all the extra Eid, Dates, Summer move allowances etc. Sulman seemed to think it was very reasonable
as the cost of living has gone down so much, especially for local food. Had a lot of cases. Motored round the gardens after tea
and then down to the Customs to call on the D.Gs but they were out. The crane has been put up and there was a big crowd on
the end of the pier admiring it. Mail came in very late though expected early in the evening. Rough day but not such big seas
as the other two days.

Sunday [8 March]

Abdulla bin Jabr came in and brought the P.R's letter which suggested cuts in allowances, he said the Shaikh quite saw the
necessity but he knew that all his relations would blame him and that he would be the chief sufferer as they would all come to
him for money. He seems to have taken it very well though, I wonder what the others will say and think. Very busy all the
afternoon counting and packing up the silver to go to the Bank and doing up the house. The servants seem to be very
depressed especially the two small boys. Steele came in the morning and I had a long talk with him, I gather that he would like
very much to stay here as a permanency but he wouldnt do it under Rs 1000 a month, which is a good deal for us to pay. Mail
arrived in the morning but a very dull one. Drove out to Senian garden in the afternoon and watched them propagating the date
trees, a most interesting business, I had never seen it done at close quarters before. The dates this year will be very good unless
they get damaged before the season by locusts. Went into the Customs on my way home and had a look at the crane and then
to the D.Gs and with them to Mespers where we played Bridge. Went over to the Agency for dinner and stayed there, moved
over a few of my belongings. The food is very good and the cooking excellent and very varied. Went early to bed, Prior was
still working in his office after dinner. Walker may take one of my boys as he is not pleased with his, D.G. wants Hamood but
Hamood does not want to go there. Nice day, much warmer. The garden is looking very nice now and the Agency garden is
really awfully nice and full of colour.

Monday [9 March]