Page 464 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

462

1929

was such a cool day as he kept on saying how nice the weather was. Prior and I talked to the Shaikh about the trials, he
got rather annoyed and was extremly obstinate but eventually we got him to agree to the suggestion of Shaikh
Abdulla's, that the Kadis should be called in too at the end to go over the cases again. Of course it is very awkward for
him as they are all near relations and always hanging round him. Dined at the Agency, a very pleasant dinner and a
change to met some new people. Salmon knows John very well and was taught at Woolich by Uncle Dacres, he also
knows Mrs Hurst well. D.G. had been asked to dinner but the invitation didnt arrive in time so he appeared after
dinner. I liked Salmon extremly. He talked a lot to me about home politics, a strong conservative with a great dislike
of the Labour people. They depart tomorrow early. They want to make Bahrain a sort of permanent base. The idea is
good as anything like that tends to increase its value in the eyes of the Government at home so they would be more
assidious in protecting its interests.

Sunday [4 August]

The seaplane left very early in the morning, I didnt see it go. Took the case against Shaikh Khalid. To my mind it is
even more sure than the other ones. He admitted sending for the man who organised the attack on the Shaikh, admitted
writing two letters to him and sending him ten rounds of ammunition. The accused is a perfectly foul looking creature
with the most odious voice. He refused to make any statement but simply said that the witnesses were telling lies.
Prior came over for a few minutes to listen to the case. I think it rather impressed the public. Lots of people listening
to it. Went along to the Quarantine in the evening. My idea is to get the R.A.F. to buy it from the Shaikh and with the
proceeds build a new one in a suitable place. Bathed in Idari, crowds of people, too many to be pleasant, crowds of
Indian boras as they have some sort of holiday today. Rather hot evening.

Monday [5 August]

Took the evidence against the son of Ibrahaim Khalid who spoke in the bazaar a month before the Shaikh was shot at
saying that if the Shaikh went along that road something would happen to him; to my mind very suspicious. He denied
it but the person he said it to is a most respectable person, father in law to Khalifa bin Shaikh Hamed. Then began on
the Hamud bin Subah case. Took the evidence of the Bahranis. I am not too certain about them, one was telling lies I
think. They all say that the Shaikh was actually there and shot one man and wounded another with a sword. Took a
long time over it, a great many witnesses. Sulman, of the Police, is very good at prosecuting. Tennis at the Mission,
really very good tennis, and excellent ices. Almost everybody was there. Bathed in Idari and then to dinner with Pack.
A perfectly horrible evening, everyone was dripping all the time in spite of a punkah, very damp and hot indeed.
Excellent dinner and wine, no women so we wore comfortable clothes and no ties. Played vingt et un, till midnight.
Won.

Tuesday [6 August]
Didnt go to the Muharrak Biladya meeting as I had so much work to get done. Hot morning. Went down to the Suk
with Mubarak to see about a piece of property which his father is gifting to him. Ali bin Hussein called with a long
letter from the headmaster of the Manama school who has been sacked. There is a great deal of quarelling among the