Page 783 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

Tuesday [23rd May]

Didnt attend municipal meeting, I had a good excuse as the Locks were returning. Went to the fort and inspected the
married lines again for mosquitoes, found two water jars where they were breeding but otherwise all very clean. The
malaria epidemic is over but now Mrs Steele who lives in the Fort bungalow has got it. Went over to see Lock in the
morning, they both seemed very glad to be back here. Talked mostly about oil, he and the P.R. are very upset by
Holmes' offer which appears from his letter to come from us not from the Coy. Discussed it all very thoroughly. We
are to cowrite a reply to it. According to the letter the Shaikh agreed to all the Matter provided that British Govt
agree & that puts the responsibility onto B.G. who, as usual, don't want it officially said. This oil business is very
complicated and very dirty work and being so much American interest in it makes the whole thing of international
importance. Lock knew nothing about Prior going out to India and was very interested in what I told him, he too
thought it must mean a good appointment. The Shaikh called at the Agency in the afternoon but did not come in
here. Sh Mohammed came over with the ⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅ about divers etc which is late. Had tea at the Mission but did not play
tennis & then Bridge at the Skinners.

Wednesday 24th May

Fort & then office all the morning. Sh Abdulla came in & I discussed the oil business with him, he was as usual very
intelligent, we also discussed various other matters. Steele came in, he is very annoyed because people are using low
power lamps so the electric receipts are down but I cannot see how we can prevent that. If people wish to be
economical we cannot prevent it. An old Khalifah shaikh, Abdel Rahman bin Abdel Walab, died. It means a small
saving in the Civil List and also some of his property will revert to Shaikh Hamed which will help a bit. He was a
contemporary of Shaikh Isa's and used to be his wazir. He has been in second childhood for some years. Tea & tennis
in the afternoon, the Locks came, had some quite good tennis. Nice day a strong shamaal. Too windy to sleep
outside on the veranda which we have started doing a few days ago. People stayed very late playing Bridge, till 9
oclock, it makes a very long party.

Thursday [25th May]

Fort. I am making the Police learn comp any drill, they seem quite keen on it. Sh Sulman came in which was
fortunate as I had several matters for him to deal with, oil, money for Muharraq road and also a very troublesome
case. He stayed several hours. Ali bin Hussein called. The last Biladya meeting was a mischievous one as I did not
attend they proposed various unsuitable things, they always do if I am not there. Played golf in the afternoon, nice &
cool, & dined with the Locks at the Agency, just ourselves. She is going home by air next week. A better dinner than
usual.

FRIDAY 26th May 1933