Page 405 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

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1929

Sounds a tiresome sort of person as he is one of the supporters of the Pan Islamic movement. He wanted to go and see
Ibn Saoud but has not been allowed to, and a good thing too. He is accompanied by a certain Colonel Watson who was
out in the Sudan and in Egypt. Tennis at the Agency. Barrett is ill and didnt appear so it was rather dull. The Strakers
didnt go also as they are huffy about the invitation to the dinner party at the Agency. Dined with de Grenier, also
present the Strakers and Campbell. Bridge. De G was very trying. He really is a most awful bounder, at home one
wouldnt like to be seen with him, still less heard with him. When I suggested after dinner that he might shut the door
between the dining room and the sitting room he said that as M and Mrs Straker were both perfect ladies it didnt
matter. Really!

Saturday [19 January]
Cancelled my Court and spent four hours down at the Customs with de G going over the clauses of the revised Landing
Coy Agreement. Went across to the Joint Court to see the Shaikh for a few minutes. Barrett didnt go to the Court.
Drove out to the Portuguese Fort after lunch and took a couple of photos of it. A lovely day and very nice out there.
Dined with the Strakers, Smith and the Doctor were there so we had two fours at Bridge. Quite pleasant but the dinner
went on for far too long. I went over to the Agency before dinner and had a few words with Barrett who was looking
very seedy. He told me that the new Resident was thinking of leaving as he didnt like the place or the job and thought
he was too old for the climate.

Sunday 20th Jan.

Had another interview with Campbell in the morning at which de Grenier was present. It lasted most of the morning.
He was quite agreable to our new contract, surprisingly amenable in fact. Straker came in at the end of it. Then went
over to the Agency and saw Barrett. A young sea plane officer has arrived on the boat today to see about landing
places for some sea planes which are coming here. Seemed harmless but dull, straight out from home, never been
abroad before. Nasr bin Ibrahaim came and worried me for an increase in his allowance. These members of the royal
family are an awful nuisance always asking for more. Drove out in the afternoon. Did some gardening before I went
out. In a month the garden will be looking really gay. Flowers are just beginning. The new Kadi, Shaikh Abdulla,
came to call on me before dinner with his supporter Abdu Ali bin Rejab.

Monday 21st Jan.

Shaikh Mohamed bin Ali came to Court instead of Sulman. He is a pleasant fellow but yawns all the time and takes
absolutely no interest in the cases. Went to the Mission in the afternoon. Abominably bad tennis and a horrid tea.
They are very full of a certain Mr Crane, an American millionaire, ex Ambassador at Pekin who is supposed to be
coming here on the next down mail. He is a supporter of the Pan Islam movement and sounds mischievous. He
wanted to go to see Ibn Saoud but was told he couldnt.

Tuesday 22nd [January]