Page 415 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

413

1929

Windle came in the morning. There are many difficu lties about the site of the power house as the ground is very soft
and not suitable for foundations. Saw Ali bin Hussein several times. Tennis at the Agency in the afternoon, only one
four so we had four sets, much to Parke's annoyance as he likes to play two and only two. Bridge afterwards. Really
nothing to write about these days. The old Kadi Shaikh Jasim sent me a long and very complimentary letter thanking
me for my action in raiding the drinking places in Muharraq. It is rather nice to get letters like that, they really do
encourage one.

Wednesday [20 February]

A very busy morning. A lot of people came to see me including Straker and Windle. Went with the latter up to the
Biladya garden to see the site of the power house. They have dug a pit there but it has filled with water and is
impossible to see the foundation of the rock. Straker came about the Landing Coy and their title deeds. Tennis at
Mespers and Bridge. Dined with de G in order to talk business with Windle who leaves on the mail boat tomorrow.
Definitely accepted his tender after getting a letter from the Shaikh approving of it. He hopes to have the whole thing
done and running in less than nine months.

Thursday 21st Feb.

A very busy morning. Windle came in the morning before breakfast. Mohamed Khalil came in to say good bye. Went
over to the Agency and had a talk about the murder case. Barrett at last seems to be speeding things up a bit. He is
starting it properly on Monday. Sent for Parke and had a long talk with him and showed him all the evidence which
was given over at the Agency. All the men have admitted enough to hang any one of them. All of them say that the
instructions for any of the murders came from those filthy Khalid Shaikhs, near relations of the Shaikhs, who were
banished for attempted murder and then allowed to come back, much against my wish. I do not believe that Shaikh
Abdulla, the Shaikh's brother was in the affair himself, though he may have had a very shrewd suspicion of who was
doing it all. Shaikh Isa, the Shaikh's father, aged 85, is mentioned more than once. They all admit to quite a number of
raids and robberies dating back to about five years ago. They all ought to be shot and I do hope Barrett convicts them
and lets us execute them publicly.

Mohamed Ali Zayani returned from India on the last boat. He called and sent a lot of presents, a set of
knives and forks, a watch and a lot of other things so I had to send them all back to him. These people ought to know
by now. People to tea and Bridge but only the Barretts and Parke as everyone else was out at the boat. Smith came in
very late. Quite a cool day after several hot and very damp days. A strong shamaal. Our goose and ducks are all
laying now.

Friday 22nd Feb.

Went down the Suk in the morning. Very empty. There are not many people about in Ramadan especially in the
morning. Went to the Bank and played Bridge. Only ourselves and de G there as Straker is ill with fever and the Dr
was at Muharraq. After lunch we motored out to Sakhrir to the Shaikh's as he asked me to go out and see him. Took
de Grenier. The roads were horribly slippery and on the way we slidded badly turning completely round. Coming
back I got the others to walk up the hill, and a good thing too as the road was very slippery and the car slipped badly.