The Henson Journals

[171]

Saturday, March 13th, 1926.

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I motored into Durham, and presided at the meeting of the Diocesan Conference. When I entered the Chapter House I was welcomed with a good deal of cheering, which at least indicated a kindly disposition towards me. I addressed the Conference very briefly, making allusion to the Report of the Coal Commission, & directing the clergy to preface the Prayer for Parliament with a brief reference to the special need for Divine guidance of the Prime Minister & his colleagues. I gave lunch in the Common Room of the Castle to Mr Priestman, Mr Parry–Evans, Mr Shaddick, Miss Headlam, & Lionel. Delegating the chairmanship of the Conference during the afternoon to the Bishop of Jarrow, I returned to Auckland, & wrote letters.

Shaddick told me that his foolish neighbour, Watts, had showed to him, & to others his insolent letter to me, of which apparently he was very proud, but that in every case he had been told honestly that, in writing thus to his superior officer, he had behaved indefensibly. Watts does not appear to have also shown the letter from me which had occasioned his outburst. I fear the foolish fellow is as unteachable as he is insolent. What precisely to do with him is not quite easy to see.

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