Page 371 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

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1928

Parke came round in the morning & we interviewed the Amir & gave orders about the changes, then Jabr bin Insallem
called & I went over to the Agency. Drove out in the afternoon over towards Ali, cold sunny day. Really no news.
Mail was due but had not arrived when we went to bed.

Monday 20th Feb.

Court. Went over to Agency with a Persian called Rashid Khan who has a proposition about pearl brokers. Seemed to
be very mysterious & didnt like talking down below in the office. The idea is to have a sort of department of brokers
under Govt control. The Shaikh cancelled an order of banishment on a thief because the head man of the fellow's tribe
bothered him to do so. Motored out to Essex Point in the afternoon, let Omar drive the car a bit which he likes doing.
Went to the garden & saw some trees planted which one of the surveyors brought back from India, limes, oranges etc.
Dinner at Mohamed b Ali Zayanis given to meet a man & his wife belonging to Mespers in Bombay - a very vulgar
couple, she stone deaf. The Shaikh attended & about 100 people. An indifferent dinner, at least I had a very tough
chicken opposite me - others may have been better. de Grenier wore an abba which excited much remark but I think
the Arabs rather liked it. After dinner they began making speeches & went on for over half an hour, very boring,
Straker, Spence's successor & the Bombay man talked against each other. A silly show. Afterwards de G & Holmes
came in & played Bridge. We won quite a lot. Small mail.

Tuesday 21st Feb.

The Shaikh came in on his way to the Joint Court & talked about being so poor & having so many expenses - its not in
the least true but he has no idea of money & chucks it away. A very long meeting at Muharrak. Didnt get back till two
oclock. M came over & went back in the boat. Quite a good wind but tide out & difficult to cross on the way back.
Went to tea with Holmes & played Bridge in afternoon. Very good Bridge, played against the Bank, Tucker, the
Inspector man is a really good player, probably plays every day in Bombay. Stayed at Holmes till after eight oclock.
The wheel of the car nearly came off on the way home, just as we got into the compound. Tomorrow is said to be
Ramadan.

Wednesday Feb. 22nd

First day in Lent & first day in Ramadan! The moon apparently appeared, though I cant say I saw it & was announced
by a salute of guns. This year as Ramadan is 10 days earlier it is not so trying being cool & not such a strain going
without food or drink. Saw a lot of people in the morning then went over to Agency & down to see de G. Told Barrett
a bit more about the persuasion that is being put on the people in the Khalid case, the Shaikh sent for them himself and
talked to them & then they were taken out to see Seyed Ednan. The whole thing is really scandalous. Went out for a
walk in afternoon & then to the garden. Tucker & Smith came in to call after tea, T departs on tomorrow's boat. Wrote
about a gardener from India. Took a couple of photos in the bazaar. Quite a hot day & a south wind. Finished Red
Sky in the Morning, liked it very much. de Grenier has taken to wearing an Aba over his coat in the office. When I
mentioned this to Barrett he said he thought it was a good idea & it would be a good plan if we had a sort of official
dress for state occasions & the best official dress would be Arab kit. Personally I think I wouldnt mind it although in
some ways it would be a nuisance.