The Henson Journals
Mon 22 July 1929
Volume 48, Page 217
[217]
Monday, July 22nd, 1929.
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Lionel and I motored to Sunderland, where I took part in the ceremonial of laying the Foundation Stone of the new church of S. Mary Magdalene. We began with a service in the temporary church, and when I preached a sermon. Then we proceeded to the site of the new church, where foundation stones were laid by Sir John Priestman and Mr Doxford. This was followed by a luncheon in the parish building, at which the foolish speeches common on such occasions were made, & a vast amount of mutual compliment indulged in! Then Lionel and I went on to Newcastle, where I got my hair cut, and had tea there. Then we returned to Auckland picking up Ella in Durham on the way.
In our absence Peers, the Board of Works Architect, had arrived, and Elizabeth Smith, lately returned from Italy.
The weather was thunderous, and intermittently wet, but, though torrential rains were reported from Southern England, there is no clear token that the drought has reached an end.