The Henson Journals

[202]

Monday, December 15th, 1930.

Prof. Heawood writes to tell me that the Pilgrims' Trust has voted £25,000 to the Castle Preservation Fund. This is indeed good news. It will enable me to leave that business alone: for my successor must take it up again when more funds are needed.

I received from Downing a further communication about the work on Park Gates House: and I replied at once accepting the scheme drafted by Caröe.

I motored to Newcastle, and had my hair cut: also, I ordered a pair of shoes with thick soles for walking in the Park: also, I left the Mezzotint engraving of my portrait at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, with a note to the Secretary, bidding him have the said engraving framed at my expense: also, I left my spectacles at the Oculists that their frames might be repaired. Then I had tea at the Hotel, and so returned to Auckland.

The newspapers report that the Mutiny in Spain has been suppressed, & the leaders shot. But since the Government has complete control of the press, & only suffers that which it approves to appear, large scepticism is unavoidable.

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