Page 423 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

421

1929

Court. Went out a drive in the afternoon and then to Bridge at Parke's, after tea. There was a row at Hedd between the
Police and some of the inhabitants. Hedd is a big village on Muharrak island and the people are very bolshie. We have
a small Police post there which is not popular. The Barretts and ourselves were at the Fort for Bridge. I really think
Parke might have risen to tea. Sent Haji Sulman, the Police Inspector, over to Hedd. He came back while we were still
at the Fort and reported that everything was alright by then.

Sunday 17th [March]

Spent the whole morning up at the Fort taking over from Parke and discussing everything about the Police. Very late
getting back. Spoke about the reward which we offered for the capture of the men who shot at the Shaikh. Parke said
that he thought he should have some of it. The amount offered was about £300. At the time it drew no response. It is
very queer that none of the men gave the others away, we also promised a pardon to whoever informed about the
matter.

Jaber bin Msallem, the big man of Hedd, came to the Fort about the trouble with the Police. Had a long
talk with him. He was quite reasonable but obviously didnt like having Police in the place. It is a great place for
smuggling and now a days Persians who have no passports are getting ashore there. Went out with Mohamed
Dweyger, my Land Dept clerk in the afternoon and looked at various things, the Shaikh's garden and some plots of land
which are to be sold. I miss Mohamed Khalil very much. Parke goes on Wednesday, if the boat is up to time.

Monday 18th [March]

Spent most of the morning at the Customs with de Grenier going over various things including the Landing Coy
Agreement. I shall be glad when it is finally settled. de Grenier is at times really fatuous. Jabr bin Msallem came in
and I had a talk with him. Went out along the Sakhrir road in the afternoon to see about some repairs that need doing.
Took the man out with me and showed him the places that need doing. Strakers came to dinner. Bridge.

Tuesday 19th [March]

Meeting of the Muharrak Biladya. Took Barrett over in my launch. Quite a good meeting but rather dull. Some of the
members of their own accord suggested various rules against ill treatment of donkeys, over loading and working them
with sore backs. Went to look at a well after the meeting. Got back in quite good time. Parke came in to dinner with
us. In spite of being very irritating at times I shall miss him a lot, at all events he is interested in his job and in all the
local politics.

Wednesday 20th March

Shaikh Abdulla al Khalifa, the Shaikh's brother, came to see me in the morning, at the same time as a deputation of big
pearl merchants about a question in the diving rules. Had an interesting talk with him, discussed the passport question
and various other things. He talked about the Shaikh's habit of always trying to lean on somebody else and of always
wanting to shelve responsibility. He said it didnt matter so much if he responsibility onto me but it was most