Page 1169 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

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Drove to Idari in the morning, I am arranging to plant a lot of orleander there all round the water channel
which will look nice if they grow well - as they should, then back to the house. Quite a hot day. In the

afternoon we went with the Lochs on their launch around the islands, a lovely evening & very nice on the
sea. Later there was a meeting of the Golf Club Committee at the Fort, Steele, the Secretary, is really rather
tiresome, & has no idea of business methods. Had an acrimonious meeting, decided to call a meeting of the
Club next week, I feel that the members ought to know more about what is going on and also the state of
finances. Getting rather warm now.

Saturday 21st March

Fort, first on the range and then on the parade ground, spent some time with the band, they play quite well
but really need an instructor who knows more about it than I do, they lack variety & are inclined to play all

the drums, cymbols & wind instruments the whole time, still they are quite good. Office. Ali Kanoo came
to see me about a row over selling petrol. Court, in court most of the morning. The house is in rather a
muddle owing to the builders being in there. Tiffrah came in the afternoon in a great state about Nezima &
her husband, he is beahving so queerly that he must aobviously be mad - an unfortunate affair. Holmes
came round at tea time. Went up to the Fort & listened to the band, then drove along the sea road, it is
really getting on now & I hope this year we will complete it up to the deep channel. Dined with the Boones
who showed us their movie pictures of the Muharram procession & the police sports, the Steeles & DG
were there. A very stormy looking evening but no rain though it looked like it. Today is Nesooz, the Persian
New Year & all the Persians were going out for picnics according to their custom.

Sunday 22nd March

Office. Most of the morning in Court. Discussed with Sh Abdulla the question of a third magistrate on the
court, he was horrified at the idea of Shaikh Abdulla's eldest son. He talked very freely about him & various
others of his relations. I have never heard him let go so freely. Arranged flowers in the house for our party
tomorrow & then went out to the Jebel to play Bridge at the Nixs. A strong shamaal blowing & quite cold.
Unfortunate if it blows for the party. Abdulla bin Jabr sent a lot of fine carpets from the palace, one of
which I like very much.

Monday 23rd March