TALE OF A CITY 20 statements that have been made and to give dates to them, In addition, I have had many Conversations with natives of all classes and races, which have undoubtedly influenced my opinions by acting as corroborative evidences of the truth of statements recorded. 3. To understand better various difficulties I experienced in the very early stages, it should be realised that, I was the first European, within living memory, to take up a more or less, permanent residence on the Trucial Coast, and that the Rest House construction was the first foothold made on the Coast by any European Government for some centuries. I Was, therefore, on my arrival regarded by the population at large with suspicion mingled with fascinated interest. 4. On 10th August, l932, Natha Singh with defense and other stores arrived at SHARJAH by the Slow Mail. A delay of about 8 hours ensued before the stores were unloaded into Dhows for transshipment to the shore. The cause of the delay as subsequently ascertained from the B.I.S.N. Co’s Agent at DEBAI, an Indian called METHA, was because Abdulrahman, cousin of ISSA, wished to use his private Dhows for the work to the exclusion of the Dhows usually hired by the B. I. Agent. 5. On the11th August, Natha Singh accompanied by Hussain called upon Shaikh Sultan of Sharjah .All the Sheikh’s brothers were present, and discussion took place anent the Rest House. In reply to enquiries, HUSSAIN stated that it would be useless to commence serious work until the pearl fleet returned and that such coolie labour as was available in SHARJAR would cost Rs.1/- per diem and proportionately higher for tradesmen, a Mason, for instance, would cost Rs. 5/- or more per diem. Later in the day, Natha Singh inspected the stone which had been collected and found only a small quantity of inferior quality. On the 12th August, the Shaikh and his brothers went to see Natha Singh early in the morning and talked about the work to be done. They were asked what arrangements had been made about the supply of materials generally and what quantities the Shaikh’s HeadMason had told himwould be required after the former had gone over the plan left with him by the Chief Engineer on his previous visit. The Shaikh replied that he had no Mason, had seen no plan, and had ordered no materials: he had been told by ISSA that he ( ISSA) would arrange everything. While this talk was in progress, I arrived by Flying Boat and proceeded to The spelling “Shaikh” is used interchangeably with the spelling “Sheikh”.
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