Page 420 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

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1929

stop the prisoners from talking and admitting. Practically all our case is based on the mens' own admissions. Mail
arrived, late. The silugi got very badly bitten by a pack of pariah dogs below the house. His leg was in a terrible state.
The Doctor came over and saw him when he got back from the boat. He thought he would be alright. Very annoyed
about it.

Wednesday [6 March]

Went over to the Agency after breakfast. The R.A.F. man arrived and was talking to Barrett about laying bouys for the
flying boats which are to come down here. It will be very interesting to see them. The Arabs will be very surprised at
them. Then went to the Customs and had a final talk about the terms that we are offering in the Landing Contract.
Shaikh Mubarak came in. He was very amused and interested about the doings of his young cousin. Mubarak is about
20, the other boy about 17. Poisoned some dogs in the afternoon. Went up to see the School and the ground which the
Amir wants to have. He is a lazy fellow and always asks for more than he is offered. Tennis at Mespers. The people
on the whole treated Molson as if he was a peculiar sort of foreigner. Of course Mrs Straker had probably never met
"the Oxford manner" being of the class that has no dealing with Oxford. Played Bridge. A lot in the Basra paper about
the Persian claim, but really no news, also an article on Bahrain. Have to keep the dogs tied up as I have laid down
some poisoned meat. They dont like it and make a horrid noise.

Thursday 7th March

Rather a lazy morning, not very many people and not a great deal to do. Got several more dogs. Went out in the car
after lunch and then the Strakers and Parke, and D.G. and Smith came to tea and Bridge. Dined at the Agency, deadly
dull. The young man, Molson, was quite unbearable, never stopped asking questions.

March 8th 1929, Friday

The dogs, our ones, made a very tiresome noise in the night. They dont like being shut up. Got another dog. Drove
out in the car to Suk al Khamis and back by the Budeya road. The country looked very pretty, they grow a lot of
lucerne in the fields and it is a lovely green colour. Went to the Bank. Molson marched in and began cross questioning
everyone. Really it is absurd that a youth of 25 should go on in such a way. He never stops asking questions as if he
was some sort of Government official on inspection a very senior official too. He is very affected and has a violent
Oxford manner, and voice. Nice day. Finished off a painting that I began ages ago after lunch and then went to tennis
at the Agency. The tennis was good but otherwise it was a mournful entertainment. The Agency parties are so very
gloomy. Miss Dalenburg seemed very angry with me still but Dr Rottschafer spoke to me!! The silugi is much better.
The 11 hens laid 8 eggs, quite good.

Saturday March 9th

Court. Everybody seemed to be very irritable. The end of Ramadan is a bad time, people get very much on edge. One
old man, a very important pearl merchant, made a violent scene about a case of no importance. He threatened a man
with his stick and there was a great to do. Shaikh Sulman did not come but sent Mohamed bin Ali. Dealt with the man