Page 696 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

694

1932

rather off colour and sulky, later I heard that he married again last night, he usually imports a new wife from the
mainland every six months or so and divorces one so as to have not more than the prescribed four. I cant think why he
bothers to marry them at all as it is such a very temporary arrangement. Tennis at the Mission, very bad tennis on a
very bad court, no fun at all, after tea we went along to Major Holmes and drank cocktails and stayed on to dinner with
him. Very nice weather but still there has been no rain which is badly needed to freshen up the trees, they all look so
dirty and dusty now. They have, it seems, found a little oil at the boring but not yet a really useful amount, however it
shows that there is oil there.

Wednesday [17 February]

At the Fort in the morning, I find a lot to do up there. Then went down to the Joint Court to see the Shaikh, he always
sends for me so I have to go along there and waste the time of the court as well as my own. Busy in the office till late.
Yusuf Kanoo called just at lunch time before going down to India. Gardened then had people to tennis and tea, colder
today but quite nice weather. Had some good tennis.

Thursday 18th February 1932

Court, a lot of cases, put quite a number of people into jug and ordered a couple of beatings. Had the Siadi case. In the
afternoon we went out to one of the Shaikh's gardens to see some damage that has been done by the tenants and to
arrange about a new lease, the garden was full of pink and white peach and apricot blossom and looked very pretty
indeed. Had tea with Holmes, he had a lot of people and Bridge played with Perry, one of the men on the Naval
Survey party, a very good player but an ill mannered one. One of my dogs has been ill for a long time, the yellow
silugi pup, a poor thing at any time, it has never been fit since it had distemper. Kanoo left on the down boat and
several other big pearl merchants who are going to Bombay to try and sell pearls, but there doesnt seem to be much of
a hope of selling any at present even down there.

Friday [19 February]

Usual day, Bank in the morning and Agency for tennis and tea in afternoon. Prior put on some of his very doubtful
gramaphone records while the Mission were there, but to our surprise they seemed to enjoy them. Stayed very late till
nine oclock.

Saturday [20 February]

Court. The Shaikhs young sons Abdulla and Mubarak came in as they are going on the Haj, I suppose that means a lot
of money to be paid out for their trip. Went out with Said Abdul Nour in the afternoon and had a look at all the
gardens which he is working on. Quite a nice day. In the evening we went to dinner with the de Greniers, a "Musical
Evening" consisting mostly of the D.Gs singing, or rather shouting very out of tune, the two naval men were there, one
of them can sing and play quite well, however it was a change.