Page 739 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

1932

Went to the range to see some of the recruits doing musketry, most of them did quite well but one man simply couldnt hit
anything, he had a finger missing which may have been the reason. Then looked in at the Joint Court for a little while and
back to breakfast. I sent an Appeal case up to the Shaikh but as usual he shelved it, I dont believe it will be any good sending
him appeals, he just has not the intelligence to grasp the idea at all. In the afternoon went up to the Palace to meet the Shaikh
who was receiving a call from the Kadis to complain about reduction in the pay to the Sunni Wakf Dept. Abdulla and Sulman
were there and we heard what they had to say and said we would give them a reply. They were quite amiable and not at all
aggressive. Then I drove with the Shaikh and Abdulla along the road to the end of the gardens to see all the places which need
widening, we are going to tidy up all the corners, this accident to the Shaikh is a very good opportunity. Then came back and
looked in at D.Gs on my way home. He seemed somewhat recovered. A shamaal had begun, quite a strong one so it is much
cooler, too windy to sleep on the roof and very dusty as well.

Thursday 30th June 1932

A strong shamaal blowing and a lot of dust so quite cool. Went up to the range in the morning to see the recruits firing, they
did quite well. Then had to deal with one of the N.C.Os who has been misbehaving, reduced him though I think the
Superintendent had been up against him and was partly responsible for his being in trouble. Worked in my upstairs office as
the Meglis Tajara were having a meeting and making a lot of noise. Various people came in. Drafted a rough idea of an
Extradition Treaty between Bahrain and Ibn Saoud's Kingdoms on the pattern of the one between Iraq and Nejd. In the
afternoon I went out and had a bathe at Ain al Hakim, very pleasant out there. Slept indoors as it was so windy but nice to
have it cooler again. One of the gazelles died, it had not seemed ill or anything. Am letting Hamood go to Hassa to get his
wife who he married and left there, he says he will only be there 15 days but I doubt that. I wanted to have tennis but everyone
was going out sailing in the tomtits. The court has been done by some prisoners for a couple of days and is looking very well.
I have come to the end of my numbered diary books. The Haenggis asked me to dinner on Saturday but I refused as I mean to
have tennis.

Friday 1st July 1932

Didnt go out in the morning, wrote some letters and did some work which I had no time to do before. Prior came across after
lunch with another telegram about the rice business, it has become quite an international matter. Quite a cool day as there is a
shamaal blowing. Tennis at the Agency, Prior and Ham and Steele and the Doctor went out sailing so it was a very dull party
until they returned, just the Hakkens and Russell and myself and D.G. I shall not go next time there is a good tide and wind, its
absurd. Played one rubber of Bridge, there is never time for more now as the light goes on so long and people play tennis late
and then seem to dawdle about. Prior talks of giving up his Fridays, it would be a good thing if he did as I am sure everyone is
bored by them now a days.

Saturday July 2nd 1932

Court. In the morning, got done early and worked in the office. In the afternoon had people to tennis, the court has quite
recovered and is very good to play on. I had a gang of prisoners down for a couple of days and rolled and watered it. The
Haenngis had invited me to dinner but I thought it a tiresome idea so refused as from all accounts their dinners are very dull