Page 862 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

860

1934

Court. Ward Smith from the Shoreham, and Hopper from the oil camp, came to dinner. All three of us
were at Bedford, W-S with me & Hopper after our time. We had a very pleasant evening talking about
Bedford, the school and various people there. Hopper is a nice young fellow & learning the oil business,
he is a gentleman & very different to most of the people out there.

Tuesday [6th February]

Very busy morning, had no time to go the municipal council meeting. I have such a lot of work that have
to let a lot of these meetings go which is a pity as they usually get up to mischief if I am not there. Went
over to the Agency, before dinner as the SNO wanted to see me about the dinner party on the Shoreham
tomorrow. Sir Philip Bowyer-Smyth & his wife were there, he is the Captain of the Folly. Sat outside
with the SNO who talked extremely freely about Gulf politics & personalities. He has no opinion of the
Political Service people and he amazed me very much by describing them - obviously meaning Loch - as
being so stuffed up with their own importance that they never attempted to push the interests of Great
Britain as they were too busy preserving their own personal positions. All quite true but a little awkward
listening to all this with Loch & Mrs Loch sitting quite close. Dinner party at the Russells, the SNO & his
wife & son & several sailors, about 20 people - usual party, we played Bridge, the rest roulette.

Wednesday 7th Feb

Police before breakfast. The Shaikh came in for the joint court and we had a talk about Sulman, but
nothing was settled. Loch didn't understand the Shaikh & the Shaikh didn't understand Loch & they were
both at cross purposes and got rather cross & muddled. Had a long talk with Shaikh Abdulla. Sh