Page 779 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

Wednesday 10th [May]

Burnett left in the morning. Before breakfast I motored out to see the Shaikh at Sakhrir by appointment to discuss oil
matters. I took with me a letter from Holmes in English & Arabic stating the terms offered by the Coy for the
additional area. The Shaikh was very tiresome and obstinate and would agree to nothing, I got rather annoyed. I
know that someone has been at him and I suspect it is the Anglo Persian Oil Company working through their agent
one Haji Williamson, a renegade Englishman turned Moslem who was down here lately and had an interview with the
Shaikh. When I got back I discussed the matter with Sh Sulman who happened to be in the town. He was annoyed
and very surprised and said that he suspected what I did. Haji Williamson always does the dirty work for the A.P.O.C.
and they are quite capable of trying to injure the Bahrain Oil Coy by intriguing against them. Tea and tennis in the
afternoon, a hot day so we had tea on the veranda which was pleasant. I told Holmes about the Shaikh's attitude and
advised him, for the time being, to give it up altogether. He was disappointed.

Thursday 11th [May]

Fort. Worked in office all the morning. Holmes came to see me.

Friday [12 May]

Special meeting of Manama Municipal Council in the morning to discuss the question of bad coins. The matter has
become very serious there are such a lot of them about. Various people attended besides the members including
Ham, de Grenier & Russell but all that happened was a great deal of talk and no useful ideas or decisions. Slept till
lunch time. In afternoon Holmes had a supper picnic at Yatim's Garden. Quite a good show & a most excellent dinner
of cold Turkey and cold ham. All the people were there but most seemed rather cross after dinner. The flame of the
forest tree was in flower, I had never seen it out before, its a lovely thing. It was nice & cool out in the garden, we
played some Bridge & some of the people bathed. The picnic last year was so very different, such a very "bright"
affair and I am sure everyone was thinking how much more amusing the other one was.

The garden is very nice now. James & Lenny use it a great deal & it makes the house seem cooler being
surrounded by green tree tops & the sea beyond.