Page 401 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

399

1929

Thursday 10th Jan:

Court. Shaikh Sulman came. After the Court we discussed the question of the Kadis and Sulman said that the Shaikh
was going to appoint Abdulla in Manama and Ali bin Hassan outside. Abdu Ali and three of his supporters came in the
morning saying that the Shaikh had sent them to try to persuade Shaikh Abdulla to agree to there being more than one
Kadi but Abdulla said he had given his answer to me and had nothing more to say. Shaikh Sulman was very
bothersome about asking for more pay. These shaikhs have no idea of dignity and are always begging for more money,
it is very awkward for me. Didnt get up to lunch till a quarter past two. Went over to the Agency and had a couple of
setts of tennis and then people came to tea and Bridge. Barrett took me, and then Parke, off for about quarter of
an hour each to talk shop. He is very worried about various things, more worried than I have ever seen him
before. Mohamed Sherif, the leading Persian merchant told Barretts native assistant that Shaikh Mohamed had
signed some document while in Persia about Bahrain, but it all seemed rather involved and bazaar gossip.
Barrett at once wrote to tell Shaikh Mohamed what had been said about him. Also two of the men in the shooting
case have confessed to Barrett that the attempt on the Shaikh was done by Shaikh Abdulla and he himself was actually
in the garden when it took place. Barrett doesnt know what to do about it. It certainly is an awkward affair to find that
the Shaikh's own brother tried to assasinate the Shaikh. It is over two years ago now. Very warm day. Major Dixon,
who used to be Political Agent here, is coming with the Resident to Bahrain. I dont like all I hear of him, a person who
knows too much about the place and people.

Friday 11th Jan 1928 [1929]

Hot windy day, south wind. Went out for a drive in the morning towards Rufaa. Went across to the Agency when I
got back. Shaikh Mohamed, the Shaikh's brother, and been to see Barrett and denied all the things that were said about
him by Mohamed Sherif. He was very angry and wished to be confronted by Mohamed Sherif.

Took the dogs out for a run in the afternoon and then went to tennis at the Agency. Few people there as
the Doctor and the Strakers had gone out to the mail boat, the down mail. H.M.S. Lupin was supposed to be coming in
but did not arrive. It was very stormy and queer looking in the evening. The sky and the sea and the boats all looked
gray like a gray picture, very queer effect. Dined with the Storms at the Mission, also present Parke and de Grenier and
the two young women Miss Tiffany and Miss ⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅⋅. Mrs Storm is almost stone deaf so rather dull having to sit next to
her. However it was quite a lively party.

Saturday [12 January]

Let Parke take the Court as I was busy. Went down to the Joint Court to see the Shaikh. He sanctioned 20,000 rupees
a year in the Budget for the Shia Schools. Discussed the Kadi appointments. He agreed that I should write a letter to
both of them telling each one that he was appointed Kadi and not mentioning the other one. Did so and sent it along to
him to sign. Hope the idea is a success. It is quite absurd to have gone on so long about it all. Discussed the case of
Abdu Bushiri inciting the Persian porters not to obey the orders of the Police. Parke is very angry about it. The
Police had to collect the porters to see if they had got licences and it seems that he went and told them not to do
as the Police told them. He evidently hoped that there would be a row and really there might have been one.
Some years there was a bad row between Persians and Arabs and a lot of people were shot in the bazaar.