Page 430 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

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1929

Monday [8th April]

Went up to the Fort in the morning. Court. Got done earlier than usual. News that Ibn Saoud has had a big victory
over the Akhwan who were rebelling against him. A pity, it will make him more arrogant than ever. Shaikh Mohamed
came in. Tennis at the Mission, rotten tennis and a horrid tea of very sweet sticky cakes. D.G. came in afterwards.
The Shia Kadi, Shaikh Abdulla, with Abdu Ali bin Rejab came to call after dinner and stayed for two hours. He was
very well dressed in deep blue robes and a black abba and a huge round white turban, quite imposing, but being a very
small man he doesnt show off clothes as well as some. Hot day, dry south wind.

Tuesday [9 April]

Did not go to the Biladya which was a pity as afterwards I heard that there had been a good deal of tiresomeness which
I might have been able to prevent Shaikh Mohamed seems to be starting badly, trying to alter things that have been
settled before. Went across to the Agency for about an hour to hear some of the murder case which is going on there
now. It was very interesting. The witnesses didnt actually say that they saw some of the Shaikhs among the attackers
but they asked to be let off giving the names of the people they saw. Tennis at the Agency in the afternoon. Quite
good tennis. The Strakers and a fellow called Straw were there, also D.G. Had another meeting of the Biladya
committee after dinner. Hot day, dry south wind.

Wednesday 10th April

Called on Shaikh Abdulla, the Kadi, in the morning. He discussed the matter of the return of Shaikh Khalaf, the old
Kadi who we pushed out about two years ago. The people, at least some of them, are trying to get him back, and as
usual the Shaikh is behaving in a very weak way about it and seems almost to favour his return. Some of the Baharna
wrote a long petition and took it to Shaikh Abdulla, on my advice he only signed it as witnessing the signatures, not as
agreeing, and sent it on to the Shaikh. He was quite pleasant. He is intelligent but very conceited. He is always very
well dressed and clean looking. He discussed to murder trial and was very indignant at the idea that the Shaikhs who
were at the back of it all being let off. Went up to the Shaikh in the afternoon at the Palace. Discussed the question of
keeping on de Grenier. He left it to me entirely so I advised him to do so. He seems to take very little interest in D.G.
mainly I think because he never understands what he says. His pronounciation is so very queer. Asked about my own
contract. He agreed at once to my getting an extension of another four years after the first four years. Then went to
Mespers for tennis and Bridge. Hot day.

Thursday 11th April

Court. Meeting of the Meglis Tajara about the Landing Coy. Quite hopeless as no one seemed likely to agree to
anything. Very late for the Court. There always seems to be a delay on days I have a Court. Shaikh Mohamed called
in the afternoon and whined for an hour about having to go to India as his health was so bad. Every year he goes to