Page 451 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

449

1929

Thursday 20th [June]

The aeroplane came back in the afternoon. Busy at the Budget these days, I am rather late with it. Court in the
morning, a lot of very irritating cases. Had a talk with Sulman about the business of his relations. Went to the opening
of the new slaughter house in the evening, I had almost forgotten it. It is far too nice a place for a slaughter house,
more like a sort of summer house. Quite a ceremony, most of the local magnates present and Shaikhs Mohamed and
Abdulla. They talked of the sea road to Muharrak hoping that that would be the next thing opened. They will have
some time to wait. Dined with Sh Sulman, Prior and I and the three air force men only, no other guests. He has a nice
little place with a sort of outside platform, very cool, afterwards we bathed at Idari, almost full moon and very pleasant.
Got back about 11.30.

Friday 21st June

Warm morning. Prior went off again in the aeroplane to some island which they missed before owing to the fog, they
got back in the early afternoon. Went to the Bank. Slept in the afternoon and then went to a meeting of the Wakf
Department before going to the Agency for tennis. Meeting went off well. Dined at the Agency. D.G. came in before
dinner and we went over the Landing Rates as finally settled, that is a reduction of 10% all round. Mespers swallowed
it with much protest after saying that they would refuse any reduction at all. A very good dinner, the Agency man
cooks well. Didnt stay very long. Am sleeping out again but still need a blanket at night. Queer weather these days, it
is misty and sandy almost all day. The Arabs say it is very unusual.

Saturday [22 June]

Worked at the Budget all the morning. We did practically the same as last year in the matter of receipts, a difference of
a few hundred rupees in the customs collections. Saw no one. Played in tennis match at the wireless in the afternoon.
I find I dont care for Edwards and I'm sure the others there dislike him. His manners to them are abominable. Did
quite well but Pennings was very tired after three setts of eleven games each. Motored to Essex Point with Straker to
look for Mrs S. who was supposed to call for him at the Wireless but didnt. She had had a puncture. Went in to see the
Doctor who has had a fever for a few days. Found most of Bahrain in there. Warm evening but cool at night.

Sunday 23rd June

Went along to the Shia School in the morning to see the examinations which was quite interesting. The boys have got
on very well indeed, they seem brighter than the Arabs. I think there is too much tendency to teach them long useless
recitations about Arab religious history and such like. The Kadi was there for some time and afterwards I went to call
on him and talked about the matter of this case against the Shaikhs. He seemed rather weak on the subject. He talked
much about Ibn Saoud saying that he was done for now and the whole country going against him, I think he wished
that, actually he seems having a bad time. Bin Jeloui the Amir of Hassa is said to be going mad. When his son was
killed he took an oath in public by the divorce of his wives and other things that he would go out against the enemy and
revenge him, Ibn Saoud forbade him to leave Hassa and this has affected him so strongly that he is said to be queer in