Page 224 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

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1927

bargain with them about punishment. It really was dreadful & I felt furious. Finally I pushed it through & said that if they
paid Rs 500/- he would be let out of gaol. Then we went out to see a bridge & to the palace & on my return to the office I
found the Rs 500/-. Had a long talk to the man who is absolutely obstinate & merely repeats that the Govt policy is a
mistaken one. Worked in the office in the afternoon. Went along to the Customs with Parke after tea & then motored him
up to the fort. Really the Shaikh is too impossible. He's not cut out for a Ruler, he is afraid, terrified, of public opinion &
never knows how to tick off anybody. I've never met a man more unsuited to be a Ruler over a fairly rowdy crowd such as
his subjects. I really believe it would be better if Abdulla was on the throne.

Wednesday 25th [May]

Court in morning. Just now we are getting endless cases of women running away from their husbands & living with other
men & refusing to return, & the husbands wont divorce them. Its difficult to know how to cope with them. Went down to
the Customs to see about the payment of boat licenses which is very much behindhand. Dinner at Zayanis. Quite a good
show, at a table. Tennis after tea at Mespers. de Grenier was very comic, saying that the various recent dinners were all in
his honour! It doesnt matter if he thinks so. Bathed in Idari after dinner with Alban. A lot of divers bathing there as well.