Page 649 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

647

1931

Court, the Yatim case and the Siadi case, no others, they took us till nearly two oclock and we had to postpone them. Shaikh
Rashid came in. Went over to the house after lunch and did some more sorting and putting away, then Prior and I drove out to
Sennad and met the Shaikh there. He is making a very good job of the place and has put in lots of trees, the water supply is
enormous and he could cultivate acres. Drove out by Aali and returned by Sakhrir and the main road. Had a very late tea.
Nice day very damp and misty in the morning. Talked no business with the Shaikh. He didnt look at all well and seemed
rather fed up, probably about the pay business. He has taken a loan from the bank of Rs 10,000 at 8% per annum repaying Rs
1000 every month. All his own fault as he has been so very extravagant lately.

Tuesday 10th March 1931

Meeting of Manama Biladya, nothing of much interest. Some talk about raising the house taxes but as usual the members put
it off, anything that touches their purses is very unpopular. Shaikh Mohd was very sour as usual, after the meeting we went to
see the boundaries of the cemetery which there is some argument about, then back to the office and saw a lot of people. In the
afternoon went to the Mission and played tennis. A lovely day, quite warm but chilly as soon as the sun set. Dame is still
away at Dubai, he rarely seems to be here now. Moss was there, he is supposed to be investigating the noise of the Power
House, he talked about Persia with quite an authoritative air as if he knew all about it, but many of his remarks were very
inaccurate. Played Bridge at the D.Gs after leaving the Mission, Barden and Walker were there. I am doing badly this month,
bad hands and bad play on my part. The Biladya have asked for a piece of Mespers ground along the south to widen the road
there. Not content with that they now ask for a piece along the other side as well which I think is rather grasping.

Wednesday [11 March]

Went round to the Joint Court and was there most of the morning with the Shaikh. Discussed the return of Shaikh Khalaf and
decided not to let him come back as the people will make a fuss about it even if he does not. Asked the Shaikh about taking on
Steele, he wants me to try and get a cheaper man at home, easier said than done I think. Abdulla showed me a letter from the
Shaikh to the P.R. about reducing allowances. I hear from Abdulla bin Jabr that they are all very relieved as they expected a
cut of 20% instead of only ten, a pity we did not suggest more, but with all the odd allowances it comes to about 20%, still it is
going to be very difficult to balance the Budget. Saw a lot of people in the office when I came back. The Shaikh approved of
my suggestion that a law should be made that all credit given to Govt servants was to be at risk of the person who gave it, as
has been the law with regards to Police for a long time. Motored out to Raffa in the afternoon and called on the Amir. We
took a walk all round the town, it is very attractive in places, I had never been round the back of it before, so many open places
and lovely views across the sea from the south. The young Amir seemed much less depressed than usual. Met a few of the
murdering Khalifah families who looked very sour when they saw us. Bridge at the Fort afterwards, Barden and Walker, went
down twelve in one rubber, a re double left in. Walker became very argumentative. The cooking at the Agency is very good
indeed. Prior works very late in the office but I go early to bed, it is very comfortable but I rather miss not being among my
own belongings. There was a shower of rain in the morning but not for long. Holmes came in and I arranged to be vaccinated
tomorrow as we have got a lot of new vaccine down as there are a few cases of smallpox in Muharrak. Holmes very annoyed
with the Shaikh who wont take his medecine for his diabetes and so gets very seedy, he looks ill too. Nice weather now, very
fine in the day time and quite warm but cold in evenings.