Page 1574 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

1571

1942

Shs M & A came in.

Monday 8th June

Fort.

Court all the morning.
In evening went out to get flowers for the house. Got quite a nice lot. Mostly
oleandar.

Tuesday 9th June

Busy morning, Shia Bahasma arrived & complained about the Arabs not joining them
in the relief measures. Busy morning. In afternoon HRH arrived, half an hour
early owing to strong wind. G of H, HH & family on aerodrome, very few people
turned up, all went well, He looked very fit, in uniform, shorts, & only two staff
with him. Inspected Guard & then he & HH drove to Agency, procession cars, guards
along route, mounted section on causeway. Deposited him at Agency & then went to
palace where he called later & was given old sword in gold scabbard & one large
pearl & 2 small ones by Sh Sul. Visit went off very well. He did the part
excellently & made a very good impression. He then went to Idari as always
preceded by m bicycles & followed by a car full of Police. I dined at Agency &
sat next to him, all very informal, open shirts, his conversation was strange,
like a schoolboy or subaltern, every other word an oath & at times very arrogant
and stupid, he spoke violently against Baldwin, Wooton, McDonald & various others
& told how he got a general sacked & rather silly stories, discussed Dow of
Karachi whose prospect he seemed to dislike. Very free conversation - someone
said Idari meant virgins pool, HRH - "have me there & there wont be any virgins
left". Stayed late, he was very pleasant & amiable & told the AOC how much he
enjoyed his evening.

Wednesday 10th June