STAFF IN CONFIDENCE
4. I have found it essential to entertain the Ministers and top officials frequently; often with the immediate purpose of getting business done. For example, Executive Council meets in my office (in the same grounds as Government House, in an isolated part of the island) every Monday from 10 am onwards with a break between 1 and 2 pm for lunch. The Ministers rarely arrive on time in the morning and at lunchtime have to travel three miles to town and they drift back one at a time, often after 3 pm or even later. I therefore started inviting the whole Council to lunch (4 Ministers, Attorney, General, Financial Secretary, Chief Secre- tary and Clerk) when there is a long, agenda. This has been a most successful move because it has been a major factor in achieving long sought harmonious and cooperative relationships as well as getting the Council back into session on time Working lunches and dinners are also the only sure method of collecting the Ministers together to meet important visitors and potential investors. There is in addition the routine enter- tainment of other members of the community tor meals and/or drinks parties. The resulting favourable climate, has also enabled me to let it be known, without causing too much dissatisfaction, that I am dropping the traditional Christmas Party, But at the present rate of expenditure (see note attached) I must soon put up the shutters if I am to have a QBP, To abandon or even' scale down the BP will cause much understandable resentment in the islands and unfortunately I have no choice in the matter. Thus, unless a more realistic sum is provided and the 3P is funded separately my doors will have to stay shut. This will doubtless be good practice for my retirement but it is not the way to gain influence: moreover, it would reinforce the isolation of the Governor in his already physically distant house and office.
5. Lastly, should like to lend my support to the case for HMG funding mid-tour leave journeys. hile the Ministers be- grudgingly admit the need to meet a Governor's bills, others do not understand why a Governor should compete with them for a relatively large share of available money.
6. I must add that despite the insignificance of these islands, I feel that there is a challenging and very worthwhile job to bę done: and enjoy doing it. Indeed, I am quite content, apart from a touch of resentment at the way in which was sold financial demotion (with its revealing indication of my standing in the Service), and at the prospect of having to put my hand even deep er into my own pocket before long to meet unavoidable entertainment expenses in addition to the purchase of items that are supposed to be provided from official funds.
STAFF IN CONFIDEN CE
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from Shing JC Strong