Page 138 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

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1927

excited. On arriving there the divers had broken into a few shops, specially one belonging to a certain unpopular
moneylender, they tore up all his account books & seized lots of flour & food from his stores. Came back late.

Major Holmes is staying with us for a couple of nights.

I now think that it would be madness to cancel the proclamation, it would encourage further rioting on the part of
the divers who would see that they can get what they want by breaking up the bazaars.

I now think that the amount fixed really was too low, still the Shaikh persuaded by Abdulla, did it himself and I did
not try to get it done. I approved entirely of the idea but its a too severe cut.

Beautiful cold weather still.

Sunday 2nd Jan.

The market closed down again owing to a scare. Someone said the divers were coming again so everyone shut their shops
& many ran off to their homes. I, accompanied by various local personages, went down to the bazaars & ordered
everyone to open the shops on pain of fine of 500 rupees - they did so. Met Shaikh Abdulla who joined us. We made a
tour of the bazaar. Then returned here & held a meeting of all the chief merchants & narkhudas. Decided various points
which we submitted to the Shaikh. Barrett went out to see him & to urge him to return to the town. Drove out after lunch
& then to tea at the Pennings followed by church - an awful performance, I dont care for their services at all. Much
excitement in the town. de Grenier came in to call in the evening. Parke & he do not like eachother - & no wonder. He is
impossible socially and a terrible scaremonger.