Page 223 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

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1927

Tennis at mission in the afternoon. Discussed the question of Sh Abdulla's daughter again with the Lady Dr. Dinner at
Mohamed Sherifs a leading Persian merchant in his delightful new house built for his son who is returning with a bride
from Lingah. Quite the best Arab meal I have been to, so well done & really excellent food & all the servants so clean &
nice. Persian tea served on really lovely Persian silver trays in little glasses in silver cups, & most beautiful carpets on the
ground. Over twenty guests present all the English & a number of leading Arabs. Afterwards we motored out to Idari &
had a bathe, very nice & no other people there. Arrested & put into prison one of the big narkudas who I caught issuing a
larger advance than that laid down as lawful by the Govt.

Tuesday May 24th - Empire Day

Meeting of Municipality. Nothing very exciting, Alban tried to get them to settle the row about the balcony, but as usual they
put it off because the Shaikh knows that they is no compromise & that the decision will most certainly annoy one of the
parties. A great to do about the nakuda who I jugged yesterday. All the big men of his tribe at once rushed off to the Shaikh
& besieged me yesterday afternoon with requests to release him - I didnt see them. The Shaikh was very scared by them &
quite prepared to apologise for keeping him, said it was the first time & he should be let off, but Alban & I urged the
necessity of punishing him. He gave an interview to the man's relations, at least they insisted on coming in, & then began to