Page 855 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

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1934

Agency most of the morning, a lot of business to discuss with Loch. Fort in the afternoon where we
practised for the sports which the Police are going to hold..

Wednesday 24th [January]

Office. Sh Abdullah called & stayed a long time discussing various matters especially Sheikh Sulman and
the Court and our position regarding Ibn Saoud. Tennis in the afternoon, not many players as it was so
cold but a lot of people for Bridge.

Thursday 25th Jan [uary]

A very busy day. Fort in the morning & before breakfast Sulman called on his way to the Agency. He
was as usual rather sulky over the dispute about the slaughter house. I went to the Agency later with
Abdu Rahman Zayani & another pearl merchant to look at some pearls which Loch had which were
suspected to be cultured. They were ... genuine ones. Stayed there some time talking business and then
went up to the school. I paid a surprise visit, it seemed to be doing well and lots of boys. Then to the
Customs to discuss various matters with de Grenier. He is always having rows with the Oil Company and
the Agency. Went out on the Rafaa road to meet Shaikh Hamed by appointment & had a long talk with
him. As usual he complained of not having any money & said he wanted to do a lot of new building at
Sakhir, all of course quite unnecessary & extravagant. He was very tiresome and complained about