Page 834 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

The "Hawkins" arrived in the morning, rather a misty day so we couldn't see her at first from the shore. The
usual programme. First Lock went out to call on the Admiral & then I with the Shaikh & Mohammed and a lot
of the sons & nephews. We were very late but as it was our programme it did not matter. The admiral,
Dunbar-Lasmith, is very nice. He had the SNO on board and Bentinck the Flag Lieut & his secretary Denn &
Captain Phillips, Chief of Staff. I knew them all. We had a look round the ship & then went off to shore. A
lovely day & perfectly calm. The Shaikh went to the Customs Meglis & I stayed with the Guard of Honour,
100 men, at the end of the pier where Lock & Mrs Dunbar-Lasmith & Mrs Lock joined me. M & James & all
the other women were on the Customs veranda looking on & a great crowd of local people. The Admiral
landed to a salute of 15 guns & the guard of honour & after inspecting it we processed on foot down the pier
between lines of naturs & police with the band & guard of honour following us to the Customs Meglis where
we called on the Shaikh as usual. These official visits make quite a good show. The SNO & Bentinck stayed
with us & the Admiral & his wife at the Agency. In afternoon Bentinck & Dean wanted to go to the bazaar so
we all went down & they looked at pearls. Mrs Ham, the bride, was taken very ill last night, they seem to
suspect ptomaine poisoning. She had dysentry & so put off the wedding last week. A bad show. Official
dinner party at Agency in the evening. The Shaikh & Mohammed, ourselves & the naval party were there. A
very pleasant entertainment, the Shaikh got on excellently & proposed the Kings health, in water.
Afterwards Mrs Lock showed her cinema - not very amusing, mostly domestic scenes at her home & a
wedding of her cousin to Lady Susan Egerton up in Scotland. The Shaikh asked the party to lunch on
Thursday at Muharraq. Had a long talk to Admiral.

Tuesday [7th November]

Office. The Resident arrived in morning & there were calls between him & the C in C but I didnt come into it.
Customs. Some of the Navy were coming to lunch but didnt as calls went on too long. Very angry as one of
my police was caught smuggling whiskey ashore. The ship's band played outside the Fort in afternoon,
everyone attended & there was a huge crowd. Very nice to hear a real band again. My police were
tremendously interested specially my band. Party at the Agency in the evening in the garden as they say the
drawing floor is unsafe owing to repair being done. No dinner parties - the Locks cant have a dance owing to
the floor.

8th Wednesday [November]

Office & Fort. Went over to Agency & had a long morning with the Resident & the Admiral, first we talked
about oil, finances, my leave & wells & then about Jafair. In afternoon the Shaikh called on the Resident &
then I went with Admiral & Resident & others to Jafair & on the way back we all called on the Shaikh at the
Palace. A band was playing there & there were great crowds of people. Much to my disappointment we
missed the band as we got there too late. In the evening an official dinner on the ship. I went out with the
Shaikh & Mohammed in his launch, it was a little bumpy but I find I dont mind it in an open boat. M went
with the Agency party. It was a pleasant affair, all the Naval people looked very smart in uniform and