Page 838 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

Went down the bazaar with Min Robertson, Steele's cousin. We got one or two things which she wanted and
then went into the de Greniers. DG played over the tune which we got from the ship as a national anthem
for Bahrain. It didn't sound very easy to learn. Min R said afterwards that DG played it quite wrong.
Gardened in the afternoon & then went to the Agency, didn't play tennis. We had tea in the garden, very
chilly. Fowle told me he had another wire from home saying that the Coy were making a revised offer
including the annual 30,000/- payment which Sulman and I discussed, sounds very satisfactory. The DGs
asked us to Bridge but didn't go. The old Shia Kadi came to call in the afternoon. Dinned at Skinners. The
Agency party and ourselves. A pleasant dinner party & not awkward as it well might have been.

Saturday [18th November]

The Shaikh came in, also Sulman who has returned from his hunting trip in Qatar, he seemed very sulky.
Went to the Agency after a long talk with the Shaikh who was more sensible than usual. Saw the telegram
and went out in my car to the oil camp & saw Skinner to find out if he had got instructions to present the
latest offer. Went to Agency when I returned, I saw the map of the 100,000 acres which they are going to
apply for & also heard several interestting bits of news about oil. Motored in afternoon.

Sunday [19th November]

Court. Sulman did not attend, nor did he attend yesterday. Drove in afternoon & then went to the Police
Station about the case of a gril in Hedd who was nearly murdered. Min Robertson came round. Mrs Steele
has been very ill but is better now. She had an operation today. I like Min R though she is rather loud &
vulgar in appearance.

Monday 20th [November]

Police before breakfast. A lot of office work at the Fort. The band came & asked for more pay. They are 8
young black boys & all said they had to support large families of sisters, aunts, grandmothers etc. They work
hard & I shall give them a rise. Court. Went over to the Agency to see the draft Agreement of the oil
extension. We get 25,000 cash, 50,000 loan, 30,000 sent & the Shaikh gets 25,000 cash for his own pocket.
Busy morning in court, a lot of cases. Gardened, cut off a lot of branches from the trees, the garden is getting
much too shady & seeds won't grow properly. Motored before tea & then to a party given by the Harns at
the Bank, a house warming party. The Lochs & Fowle were there, Mrs Loch as usual created a sort of blight
on the entertainment. She usually seems to do this.