Page 453 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

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1929

the head. Went to Idari with prior and dined with him. Dame came in, he has been sent for by Abdulla bin Jeloui to
Hassa, presumably to cure him of this madness. The Kadi was very interesting and most frank in his conversation. He
is intelligent though conceited. He hates the Wahabis like poison and doesnt much like the Khalifa. The mail came in
and I got mine when I got home, only two letters. The Shaikh is coming in tomorrow.

Monday 24th June

The Shaikh came in in the morning to discuss the trial of the Khalids. Prior had written to him saying that he did not
wish to meet any of the accused people, as The Shaikh had suggested bringing them to call on him. The Shaikh
brought in Prior's letter which I had seen before and read it to Abdulla and Mohamed and Sulman. Parts of it he didnt
seem to like much. Mohamed was rather tiresome about it, as he is related to the Khalids and was married to a
Ghattam he has a good deal of interest in the case. After some talk we all went over to the Agency and discussed the
whole matter again. The Shaikhs listened to some of the evidence but didnt seem to believe it. Stayed there so long
that it was too late for us to hold a Court. The Shaikh was very tiresome about going to Quetta, he kept on saying that
Sakhrir was as cool as Simla or Quetta and so he need not take a change. Played in the tennis tournament in the
afternoon. Didnt do so badly but it is rather a drawback having Pennings as a partner. The tournament hangs on a very
long time.

Tuesday [25 June]

Didnt go to the Biladya meeting but spent the whole morning at the annual accounts and report. Tennis at the Wireless
in the afternoon and then bathed in Idari.

Wednesday [26 June]

Court instead of Monday. Delivered the sentence in the murder case. Sulman did not like doing it and would have
preferred to send it to the Shera Court to deal with. The man seemed to feel no emotion at the idea of being shot. I am
not sorry for him as he murdered a woman with no reason, and she seemed to be a harmless creature. The down mail is
very late, not due till Friday. Wrote a great many letters, to relations which I ought to have answered ages ago. Tennis
at Mespers. Straker had fever so did not play. Prior was very rowdy with Mrs Straker.

Thursday [27 June]

Court. Began on the big Siadi case, a most complicated affair about accounts involving many lacs between two
cousins. News of a glorious victory announced by Kozaibi on behalf of Ibn Saoud, and of a defeat announced by his
opponents. There is a lot going on on the main land but we get very little news from there. The Amir of Hassa,
Abdulla bin Jeloui, whose force was defeated and son killed, is going mad. He is gated in his country for his brutality
as he has cut the legs and arms off hundreds of people with hardly a reason and no proper trial. People think that he
deserves what has happened to him. He imagines that his son is still alive and constantly sends messages to him. Ibn