Page 2141 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

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1945

Tuesday 17th September

Fort. No news of the escaped convict, I am very angry about it, incidents always seem to happen at Jidda.
HH came in in quite a good humour, talked much about Jidda & approved of everything there, hope he
doesnt want to come there often, he said it was so much nicer than his own island. Discussed rents of shops
in the bazaar, Shaikha Ayeshas house in Mhq & various other things - & his brother in law's affairs - he was
very sensible. Saw Tunnicliffe, AH Bassam, about some tea he imported, & one or two others, Yusaf
Khuduri about municipal affairs. To Budeya in the afternoon, it was doing well, new coming up, a new
tank round the baking well so that we now use all the water & the first floor of the little house being built.
Heard Ahmed Omran on the radio from London talking about education here - a dull talk too abstract.

Wednesday 18th September

Rode up to the race course, a very pleasant day, quite cool, shamaal.

Most of the morning at the Fort, Ahmed bin Hamed came in about a case by his tenants, all the owners of
shops & offices - not included in the rent restriction rule - are raising their rents & apparently getting people
to pay. Sharp came in to lunch, I found him quite pleasant, very different to on first acquaintance.