Page 888 - Belgrave Diaries(N)_Neat

886

1935

Called on the Shia Kade, Shaikh Abdulla before breakfast. He is quite young & very intelligent. Discussed
the present ill feeling among the Shias, he being a landed proprietor, agreed that much of it was their own
fault because when leasing the date gardens they had against each other and took the gardens for far more
than they can ever hope to make, then when the landlords make cash against them the tenants are sold up &
put in prison, which they complain about. He suggested that leases should be in dates not in cash and a tax to
be put on imported dates. Shaikh Sulman came in to complain at people complaining about the conduct
while settling in the court during my absence. I am quite sure he has behaving unfairly but it is inevitable.
Worth came in to discuss the case of Steele's servant who with others got drunk after the party at the Bank on
Monday. Various people came in. Went to see Loch about the Shia unrest, looked at a document signed by
the Shaikh Isa, when he was being made to abdicate, agreeing to see that camels keep out of gardens, the
present case at Saar is like many that happened before. Had lunch early & went to meet the air liner on
which Sir John Salmond was expected, but he did not turn up. An Indian Rajah & party passed on a specially