Page 697 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

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1932

Sunday [21 February]

Parke returned from India and came to breakfast, he seemed in a better state of mind than when he left. He saw John
who gave him introductions to a lot of people at Delhi and he had an interview with the Chief Secretary, Howell,
whose brother I used to know in the Sudan. Had an enquiry about a prisoner who was given some money and allowed
by one of the Indian N.C.Os to talk to his brother. Sacked the Indian, it makes one less and I am gradually reducing the
Indians and putting in local Police. A very busy morning. I have had my office floor tiled which is a great
improvement. Took tea out in afternoon to a spring called Ein al A Hakim, a very pretty spot on the sea shore at the
edge of date gardens where there is a fresh water spring, quite a big one, right down on the sea shore, sketched a little.
Holmes and Russell came to dinner.

Monday [22 February]

Court. Played tennis at Agency and then Bridge at Russells and ...

Tuesday [23 February]

Very busy morning in the office, saw lots of people. M went to Muharrak and called on the two Ayeshas. The old
lady, Shaikh Isa's wife, was rather frigid and kept her waiting half an hour which was I think intended as rudeness. M
took Mrs Skinner with her to young Ayeshas. Hot day, quite like summer again, a south wind. Gardened and then
went for a drive and to Major Holmes after sunset. The de Greniers came to dinner. Shaikh Sulman came round in the
morning and told me of a call he had from the Kadis who professed to be loyal supporters of the Govt though as a
matter of fact they were working against us in the recent trouble and everyone knew this.

Wednesday 24th February 1932

Went round to see the Shaikh in the Joint Court in the morning. Another Trucial Coast Shaikh has arrived to stay with
him, they are like locusts and as he always treats them very well and sends them away laden with gifts they come more
and more, this one is said to be going on the Haj but has been held up as they are not letting the pilgrims go through
this way, it means that Ibn Saoud would lose some revenue from the Pilgrimage. Got the Shaikh to approve of
appointing young Shaikh Abdulla bin Ibrahaim as Magistrate on the small courts while his own two sons, who
previously sat, are on the Haj. Gardened in the afternoon and then had tennis, quite a lot of people came among them
Galpin, of the Imperial Airways who is back here again seeing about arrangements for accommodation etc, but it is by
no means sure that they will come here as he told me that he had a wire from London saying that the Persian Minister
had promised to give an answer a fortnight after returning to Persia but Cairo wired to say it was definitely decided to
come this way, I expect the Persians are as usual just playing for time and trying to get better terms from Imperial
Airways.