Page 605 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

but they went back to it so he got up and they had to go. Went to the Palace garden afterwards and had a
good look at it. In garden in evening and also worked at the notes on a history of Bn. A dinner party at the
Shaikh's for Prior, quite a pleasant party, most of the Europeans were there and also the Agriculturist, I took
him into the Agency before we went over there. Howe and Bentley were there, he took a whiskey and soda
which rather amazed me, but after all as he is not a Mohamedan it is not so very odd. A much better dinner
than usual, stayed on some time talking.

Wednesday [22 October]

Called on the Kadis at the Shera court and discussed various matters and then went out to Senobis to call on
the old Shia Kadi who had some Persians there from a place called Quasba who are of Bahrain origin and wish
to take out nationality documents. They seemed decent people and complained much about the Persian
oppression, they said it wasnt so bad being made to wear the new hats but what they disliked was the idea of
being made into soldiers. As usual there are difficulties about the schools, the Meglis now seems to dislike
the idea of having the girls' school in the new house. M better. Two funny little aeroplanes came, sort of
converted flying boats. Gardened in the afternoon.

Thursday 23rd October 1930

Special meeting of the Biladya about the electric business, they agreed to take it up, at last. They are going to
invest Rs 10,000 in the subsidy plan. It took a longish time. Called at Kanoo's on the way back but didnt see
the old man as he was out. Drove out to meet the Shaikh with Abdulla and Prior in the evening, had a long
talk about Ibn Saoud's letter with them and with Sulman who was with them, sitting out on the desert on a
carpet, quite a conference, till the moon came up. He sent James a live hare and a hedgehog, rather an
awkward pet. James accumulates a terrible lot of odd birds and animals, however a good many of them
seem to die or run away. He has a parrott and a lot of partridges, two gazelles and a horrible sort of giant
lizard and various other things. Dined with Walker and played Bridge, a very good dinner.

Friday [24 October]

Bank in the morning. The Shia Kadi called for me to accompany him on a visit to the Agency but I didnt go,
said I was ill, it is absurd of him to expect me to go every time. Bridge at the Bank. Tennis at the Agency in
the afternoon, quite a crowd, all the Mission there. Prior has had lots of very expensive lamp fittings put in,
very nice but rather unsuitable. The lady teachers of the schools came to call.

Saturday 25th October 1930
Court, finished fairly early but had work in the office afterwards. Cool windy day. Played tennis at the
Agency in the afternoon, singles with Prior who is much better than me, I won four games in two sets. Dinner