PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL
But attempting at this time to charge genuinely necessary major expenditure either on the House or on the Office to a Government whose Legislative Council have so recently pronounced against a Governor from outside could, I suppose, risk trouble we might prefer to avoid. So I wonder if there could perhaps be early check by the Property Services People in Barbados on what is needed at the Office and the House and, if possible, for FCO or Dev Div funds to put things right. I should also be grateful for a fair look at one or two other matters which seem to be rather central to the job. If I may, I will cover these in a separate letter later on.
5. I end as I began. I really did appreciate all the help given in the Department. As I left, I felt I could rely on your understanding and it is against that background I have composed this letter. On the local political outlook, I believe we are of like mind on the need for such forbearance as is possible in the way in which we react to tiresome Legislative Council noises. If our responses can avoid local sound escalating to real ill humour we diminish potential headache. I more than realise there are two ends to this particular piece of string but felt I should end on this cautionary note. When I saw the PUS he specifically said be sure I conveyed early warning to him personally if I smelt trouble. The Minister of State was similarly interested. All I would like to put on record at this stage is that I sense possible frictions which if ignored could develop into trouble. Equally, I can see this need not necessarily develop. I am making my very first task the gaining of goodwill and understanding with the British Virgin Islanders and their political leaders, and I await with interest the next move from Wheatley and the others. Meantime, on the basis of just a week's knowledge of the Virgin Islands I should think it probably wiser to await this move rather than take any initiative ourselves. any rate, for a while.
Tows
Jim
ever,
JA Davidson
At
cc:
JC Edwards Esq
Dev Div
Bridgetown
(with enclosures)
PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL