Henry Alfred Alford Nicholls diary
Page 44
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Transcription
Grenada. 21 May, 1891. Some of them not quite the kind of stories one would have expected a clergyman to tell - He is father-in-law of Mr Brittain, the inspector of schools on the Leeward Islands. He goes back to St George's late in the afternoon. And, Sir Walter telephoned down to say that he expected me to dinner and that he would send the Carriacou groom. So I set off to Government House and was again made thoroughly at home by the Governor and his wife. Sir Walter read to me dispatches he had written to the Administrator of St Lucia and St Vincent reporting them to help me in any way they could. And he directed the Adm'r of St Vincent to telegraph to th Adm'r of St Lucia to announce my advent as soon as I left the former island. After dinner we had long talk about all kinds of things, and Sir Walter became quite confidential about the affairs of state, as he had often been before. He is really a right good fellow, and his kindness and bonhomie's rendered my stay in Grenada and my official relations with him most pleasant. Lady Staly, Hutchinson was tickled while we were having our confabs, and it was rather late when I said goodbye. Sir Walter wanted me to stay the night, but I had told Opus I am coming back and I had not packed up to ready for the steamer in the mrg. Grenada. 21 May, 1891. Sir Walter said he would ask the police boat be ready for me, and he promised to keep back his dispatches until the mail bag until I am ready so as to give me plenty of time. With a hearty hand-shake I left him and thanked him for all his goodnes's to me. 22 May, 1891 Friday. Getting ready to pack - An awful job, and one I dislike very much. However, Sir Walter gave me a good help, and the thing ran slow in time. My impediments are increasing a good deal, and I have had to buy a new trunk. I must send on some of the things to Dominica from St Vincent. I called on Boyd to bid him and Mr D. good bye and then walked down to the wharf with Opus. Sir Walter had already gone off with the luggage. It is his duty to see after all these things and to pay the people, so I am saved a lot of trouble. At 5 o'clock, the Revenue Officer was waiting for me, and he had a parcel of clothes I had got from Trinidad. The Governor had given orders that I am to pay no duty on anything, so I had no trouble with the customs. I am then ready to go and soon I am on board the 'Cali' and released by the officers. Miss Giffens was on board, and she seemed very pleased to see me. She gave me all kinds of messages from the Dulcels and my other Tobago friends.