Page 815 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

Tuesday 12th September

Manama municipal meeting. Discussed the question of the fees from the slaughter house which Shaikh
Sulman claims. Gastrell, having been told about it by me, asked some questions and is hanging the matter
up. Hot damp day. Skinner & Twichell called, the latter arrived from the Arab coast having motored right
across Arabia, from Jhedda to Katif, driving himself, in something like six days. Met Major Holmes at Essex
Point and then went to the Russells to play Bridge.

Wednesday 13th [September]

Meeting of Wakf committee, got an urgent message from the Police that they had a big case about cultured
pearls. Went to the office & found that the suspected man was Khalil Bakr a man who is said to have sold
cultured pearls some years ago. Heard what they had to say & then summoned a committee of experts to
examine the 14 pearls in question which Khalil B had given to a broker to sell in the bazaar. They tested
d
them, cut some open & found they were cultured. The committee were Pack, Freund, Moh Ali Zainal & two
Hindus & Zayani. Then got a search warrant and searched K Bakr's house. Fortunately we found 5 pearls in a
despatch box which look like cultured ones. Went down to Police Office again after lunch, searched the
offices of the man & his brother and then heard more evidence. Got back very late for our usual tennis
party. It will be an interesting case to work up and an important one. The pearl merchants are all very
indignant as if these cultured pearls get into the market the reputation of our pearls goes.

Thursday 14 [September]

Fort, Office, spent most of the morning on the pearl case, had in the committee again who examined all the
pearls found in the office, which were genuine, but the 5 ones in the house were cultured so we have
something to go on. Holmes rang me up, very upset, as he had several wires urging him to resign & come
home & said he felt he had to do so. Its a bad show & the Brit Govt are really responsible. Naturally they are
now angry at the Americans getting the oil out here, but it is their own fault as when Holmes first got the
concession, also one in Arabia, he offered it to Brit. Gov who refused it, thinking there was no oil. Motored
out to Aali & met Holmes there & had a long talk with him. He is very fed up. Dined at Agency, Pack, Ham &
three oil men were there. Sat on roof and talked, quite cool today, almost chilly driving home.

Friday [15th September]

Motored out to see the Shaikh before breakfast to discuss Holmes departure. He was in the garden at
Sennad where he has made a new artesian well for Daly. He was very upset, we sat in the bath house & he
looked at the water saying that all this & all the gardens we owe to Holmes, who first sunk wells here, and
now he is leaving as if in disgrace. He approved of a farewell party and a photograph of himself in a silver