Page 55 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

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1926

Down mail came in. Really no news. Walked up to the Palace which is getting on well, & to see the new tank which is
being built. The palace is a big stone house & should be very comfortable. It faces a long avenue of trees reaching
down to the town - they were planted a couple of years ago & are growing well.

Thursday [17th June]

Diving Court - only one case. Sat & talked to Daly for some time. At last my contract has come back from Bushire,
they didnt admit the extra Rs 200 - a pity, but really it was an evident clerical error. The leave regulations appear
rather complicated & need adding up - Apparently after 4 years I get 1 year's leave at home, but before that only
shortish leave with not long at home - but the new route will be open any day & even now one can get to London from
Baghdad in 6½ days. It does sound rather wonderful.

Geake came into the office in the morning & I told him what a fool he had been. I sent out a circular about saluting
laying down who was to be saluted - he went & told the people who were not on the list & caused much annoyance
among them - but why should missionaries & commercials be saluted by the Sheikh's Levies & Police! Its absurd.
Busy morning, a lot of people came to see me, now that they are getting to know me they come more freely to ask for
& about things. Still cool windy weather, the "shamaal" blowing which is said to last for 40 days. Reading a very
interesting book called "Major Danes Garden" about Somaliland, really extremely good, the best novel I've read for a
long while.