Page 845 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

programme with Loch. Went to the Bank & met a man called Alliard, from Mespers, who is staying here. He
may be stationed here some day.

Saturday 16th [December]

Police. Court. Motored to Rafaa hill. Wrote a long letter to Agency proposing certain arrangements during
my leave in the summer. James had no temperature all day which is a good sign. He looks very thin, and
very white.

Sunday [17th December]

My four policemen returned from Karachi where they have been doing 9 months training. Court. Had a
meeting to decide on the Tesquam advance to the divers. Settled it as the same as last year and sent out the
proclamation to the Shaikh to see. The HMS Colombo and 3 sloops arrived. Loch came to see me in the
office about various matters. No official calls as it is Sunday. The Colombo does not look a very big ship.
Gardened, transplanted seedlings. Very warm for the time of year. Went out and looked on at the football
matches. The local teams were very weak. DG came to Muharraq. Ramadan moon expected but did not
appear so the fast begins on Monday. Loch is making rather a fuss over playing gramaphones in Ramadan, it
is not allowed, but other years no one has worried over it, this year Loch is fussing.

Monday 18th [December]

The Shaikh paid his official visit to the SNO on the Shoreham & met Captain Simeon of the Colombo and also
Bowyer-Smythe of the Folly who had not called before. Usual show, guards of honour, guns, police & band.
It all went off well & everyone admired the police. Held a court. Abdulla & Sulman came and talked about
the Ramadan allowance. Party at Agency in afternoon, about 60 people, locals, navy, air force & oil camp.
They had a cinema which was really very good.

Tuesday 19th [December]

1st Ramadan. Fort. Very slack day, as always worked in the office. Had a meeting at Agency with Loch &
Skinner to discuss labour questions. Afterwards saw Skinner in my office. Lunched on the Colombo, the
Lochs & ourselves. The Captain is very dull & also another man who was there called on the SNO en route.
They were having a Court Martiall & I am sure didn't want to see us but Loch had business on board.