The Henson Journals

[159]

Thursday, March 8th, 1928.

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I had an hour's interview with the Estates Committee of the Ecclesiastical Commission, and expounded the case of Durham Castle. In reply to a question, how much in my opinion ought to be granted, I replied that £25,000 would to my thinking not be excessive. They were civil, even friendly, but entirely non–committal!

Then I had lunch with Geoffrey Dawson & his wife in Sussex Place. I did my best to get Geoffrey to pledge himself to divers helpful procedures, but, beyond rather vague assurances of support, I gained little.

I returned to Auckland by the 5.30 p.m. express. Rawson came into the carriage, & talked much and interestingly about many things. He takes a far more depressed view of the industrial outlook in Durham than heretofore. Evidently, Bollum, Vaughan & C. are not making much headway yet. Lionel met me with the car at Darlington. On arriving at the Castle, I found among my letters one from Owen Seaman asking me to get in touch with the Punch draughtsmen. This will be another journey to town!