Page 1150 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

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1940

Bottomley came to discuss the telegraph land. Bottomley seems to think we are asking too much - he
knows nothing about local conditions & prices. Loch went to Qattar by air. Had people to dinner, the SNO,

Steeles, DG & Father Lamb. Rather a mixed bag but it went off quite well. Played pontoon - these games
bore me but some did not play Bridge.

Wednesday [15th January]

Fort. Sh Abdulla came in. The PR arrived on down mail. Went out to Sakhrir to see the Shaikh. Lovely day,
brilliant sun but quite cold. Stayed a long time with the Shaikh discussing various subjects , his proposed
visit to England and other matters. Discussed the committee for the "code". I told him that the bazaar
were talking of his row with Abdulla - he looked very put out, and said none of his servants kept the
accounts properly & he couldn't find the accounts of one of the gardens in Abdulla's books. Drove back

with Abdulla who I took in my car - a gesture! The Shaikh got some idea in his head that his pay had been
cut 20% not 10% & he wouldn't believe it when I told him he was wrong. Tennis & Bridge in evening. The
Kirkpatrick's came, new Mespers people.

Thursday [16th January]

Fort. Practice on the range. The Shaikh came to the office & then I went with him & the others to call on
the Resident at the Agency. He stayed on much too long talking - about Abyssinia. They returned the call at

the Palace, we went there ahead & the Shaikh said to me he hoped they wouldn't stay too long - he having
been an hour at the Agency. Office. AbJ came to see me & I looked over all the accounts which the Shaikh
had asked about. They were in order. Skrimshire came to see me. Brought a new carpet for the office, it is
so cold there in the winter & a thick carpet will improve things. Shooting match with "Shoreham" in
afternoon. We beat them by 71, the Police will get pretty excited at this rate. The navy shot very badly &
were very careless on the range, carrying their rifles loaded in a way I would never allow my men to do.
Giles, the young officer who was with the sailors, came in afterwards, quite a nice young fellow, very young.
Went along to DGs before dinner & played over a tune I want the Police to learn.