HKA 364/1
PERSONAL AND CONFIDENTIAL
RE
.AY NO. 51
GOVERNMENT HOUSE,
13 DEC 1978
DESK OFFICER
TORTOLA,
USTAVA |TISH VIRGIN ISLANDS.
INDEX
PA
inn Taken
2/2
12/1
PC
PC Duff Esq
West Indian and Atlantic
Department
59
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Markayon
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Appb file
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BVI: GOVERNOR'S ARRIVAL
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I know I thanked you and David Dale at the time for the trouble taken over my briefing but as I settle down after a week in Tortola to my first letter from the post I should like to say once again how much appreciated the trouble you took.
2. In my telegram 108 I promised copies of the Chief Minister's address of welcome or words of warning if_you prefer at the Legislative Council and of my reply. These
A
are now attached. (Apart from the political angle I think PSD, who assumed that I would be tax exempt, should perhaps know the Chief Minister's public line against tax exemption for the Governor. If I may whisper it, this touches the pocket.) I had met the Chief Minister and his colleagues the previous evening, and had sensed the way the wind was blowing, so did not feel totally unprepared for Wheatley's public words. To the extent that I myself could judge, my response which sought to be understanding and keep the temperature down, was well received by both sides in the Legislative Council. As for the press view of my appointment
rather a grandiose way of describing The Island Sun -
I enclose a copy of their editorial.
3. After being here only half a dog watch in seafaring terns rock bottom in time scale, I hesitate to offer comment, but with John Edwards from Dev Div due here soon I thought I should perhaps let you know right away that I sense what may turn out to be some local wind of chenge. The local mood seems by no means unfriendly. I sense in the community a plain speaking good humoured frankness which I can take with pleasure. But this does not prevent people here looking sideways at anything they regard just as outside intrusion in their internal business.
4. Given the imminent Dev Div visit, could I also briefly touch on domesticities. quite a lot needs to be done to the office and to the house to bring them to a reasonable contemporary standar to support FCO as well as local purposes. Ky FCO secretary, to whom I am dictating this letter, is nolding her head vigorously and has asked if I kaew the office did not have a photocopier.
I have replied
that I am not surprised. There must be much the office lacks. As for the house, for all its character features and some new paint, the Barbadian housekeeper is scathing in her comment on the absenceof reel maintenance over une last severa YOATS. And the quuturo fer the domestic staff do not really bring credit to the British connection.
C.C. HKA 431/485/
HKPF/DAVIDSON/J.A.
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PERSONAL, AND COAST DENAKAN
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