Page 1149 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

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1940

Saturday [11th January]

At the Fort in the morning, Sports in the afternoon. We had been very careful timing everything and the

programme went absolutely to time so we finished well before sunset as planned. The Sports were a great
success. The Police teams met the Navy at tug of war, rather a good show, the Navy won two out of three
pulls. The only blot was the Agency who I stupidly allowed to have their ta party at the sports -
consequently they monopolised the whole show. Afterwards we went in to see the Steeles at the Fort.

Sunday [12th January]

Abdulla bin Jabr returned. Office. Gardened in afternoon & then went to play Bridge at the Nixs, very late
going out as Mrs Loch came in to call, didn't get back to dinner till ten o'clock. A great deal of gossip in the
bazaar about Abdulla bin Jabr who is said to be out of favour with the Shaikh. I shall be sorry if this is true

as I like AbJ though he makes a lot out of the Shaikh he is useful in keeping other people off him. All the
Palace servants are jealous of Abdulla and intriguing against him - & always have been. The favourite now
is one Hassan, an unpleasant youth.

Monday [13th January]

Office. Court. Abdulla bin Jabr came over to see me & he had a long talk. He told me all about his time in
Persia which was interesting & then I asked him whether the gossip was true, & he said it was. Discussed it
fully, I shall do what I can to back him. He is very fed up after serving the Shaikh for 23 years to be treated

so badly - but its always the same. The Shaikh is absolutely unreliable. Bridge at the Skinners.

Tuesday [14th January]

Busy morning. Fort. Skinner to see me at 9.30 for two hours about various matters connected with the
company. Three tankers are expected quite shortly, one being the Rheem, a big 1500 ton ship. Cole and