Page 431 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

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1929

India but he always pretends that it is because he has to go to the Doctor there, everyone knows that he finds it
pleasanter in the Hills than in Bahrain in the summer. He was extremly tiresome and began about having his son
Rashid put in as President of the Biladya in place of himself. He is quite the most irritating of the Shaikhs, like a very
fussy old maid, always complaining. People to tea and Bridge. ... was late as Mohamed stayed on so long, sitting in
the little off... discussing his symptoms. We had just eight, enough for two tab... Mrs Marley plays quite well and is
very keen.

Friday [12 April]

Motored out to Idari in the morning with Mrs M. We are rebuilding a bridge there. Hot day, dry wind. Went to
Agency in the afternoon. It is the last time they are having a "day" so every person here turned up, awful, eleven
missionaries, loud twanging voices all over and rotten tennis. Very boring affair.

Saturday 12th April [13 April]

Went down to the Customs in the morning with the intention of looking at the repairs to the Import Yard with the
Shaikh, but he had arrived there before me and had been over the shed. Both Abdulla and Mohamed were there,
Mohamed being extremly tiresome about getting his son onto the Presidency of the Biladya. Sat in D.G's house for
some time. Mohamed began on the subject of the slaughter house and finally the Shaikh gave in to him. He really is
by far the most irritating of all the family. I am glad he is going away. Afterwards had a Court. Went across to the
Agency for half an hour after my Court was finished. Barrett is giving the men very light sentences, they ought all to
be shot but he is giving them imprisonment instead, all according to the tiresome Indian Penal Code, though myself I
think they deserve all to be shot. There is a lot of interest being taken about it in the town and everyone considers that
they are getting off too lightly. Parke would be very angry if he was here. Went out with the Land people in the
afternoon and marked out some land for sale.

Sunday [14 April]

Saw people in the office all the morning and went over to the Agency for a few minutes. D.G. came in and played
bridge in the evening after we got back from a drive. Dull day, really nothing to write about.

Monday [15 April]

The Shaikh came in on his way back from Muharrak and so I didnt get breakfast till very late. He hadnt anything much
to talk about except the return of Shaikh Khalaf. He is very weak about it and finally asked me to have a talk with
Barrett about it. Court. We have decided to alter the dates of the Courts in order never to have one when Shaikh
Hamed comes in as he always sends for me and delays the Court. Shaikh Mohamed came in to say goodbye in the
afternoon but did not stay long, fortunately. Went for a drive and to dinner at the Agency in the evening. Quite a
party, the Strakers, Holmes and his wife, D.G. and Straw and Bardon. D.G. seemed in a very bad temper and