Page 257 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

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1927

Customs, then a Court here. Beat a runaway driver who proferred that reason for not working was that he had a devil in him -
they often say it perfectly seriously. Had the old red bearded Shaikh from Mohammerah in again, a most tiresome old party &
a great stayer. He was brought here by opponents of the ex Kadi who told him to push some claim & I am now trying to
squash his claims. Walked round the town after tea & then went a drive with Alban out to the gardens. Alban is going to one
of the Trucial ports to settle about a fine from a narkuda who broke all rules by seizing a man from a Bahrain boat out on the
pearl banks. Abdel Nebi Bushiri & A Kamal called in the evening & discussed the question of putting all wakfs etc in hands of
the three Kadis, which is I think very sound.

Friday 15th [July]

Yusuf Kanoo called, very amiable & as oily as usual. He's a dangerous man & I dislike him. Went over to Agency, found
Mohamed Sheref calling there, very pleasant & amusing. Painted another attempt at the thing I did yesterday of a little mosque
from one of the photos, not so bad the second time. Went up to call at the Palace. The Shaikh in very good form. We are
going to have a meeting of religious leaders on Monday. Painted in afternoon then went up to Palace. Drank coffee. Noticed
several of those mischievous religious persons hanging round the Shaikh who evidently annoyed at my arrival. Motored out to
Rafaa to see about the land for sale, very unwisely the Shaikh called & drank coffee with one of the Khalifa so we dawdled &
arrived to find all the prospective buyers arrived & very cross with eachother - however settled the dispute. Y.K. was also