Page 2014 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

2011

1945

Sunday 27th Janary

No parade, a good many callers still calling, all the Arabs say how thin I am, a poor advertisement for
England, but true. Spent some time at the Tech School, a depressing affair as there are now only 25 boys &
there should be 100. They wont stay the full course, after learning a little they leave & get work. Said seems
keen but sad. The school is a problem which is difficult to tackle, people still seem to think that its a low
form of work, they all want to learn to be clerks. Narayan away with fever. Penfold came to see me about
the telephone scheme, it is apparently held up owing to the question of the site. Drove over to Muharraq in
the afternoon, a great change there & few people or vehicles about, all the USA troops have gone & the camp
looked rather empty. Dined with the Gunns, Smith present, had some very good Bridge but then went on
playing much too long till very late. I do not like such long sessions of Bridge.

Monday 28th January

Didnt go to Fort, felt exceedingly tired all day though no reason for it. Pleasant weather. Wrote a long letter
about the Police Inspector who we sacked in reply to a complaint of his. Saw various people, Dr Steele
called, he has been having hooping cough & it seems there is an epidemic. He was quite interesting about