Diary, 1936 - London, Sussex, Scotland and Paris

Scope and Content

Return to health, ill health of Lady Addis, family activities, alterations to Woodside, reading and occasional theatre visits; also work at the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC), meetings of the British and Chinese Corporation (B&C Corp.)., P&O, London University Court and St Felix Council.

JANUARY Returns from Egypt; Addis presented with a silver loving cup for services on the Canadian Banking Commission; asked to lunch with the London committee of the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC), 'first time since the "crack" when I was dismissed from the Chair!.' 30.

FEBRUARY Discussions with Bernard, Barnes, Boothby, Morris and Leveson on concessions over Chinese railway loans, 'It is clear to me that the British and Chinese Corporation (B&C Corp.). too, will have to make enormous sacrifices of arrears or be faced with the alternative of - repudiation', 18; death of sister Susan, 12; problems with French and Americans over proposed settlement with Tientsin Pukow bondholders; bravery of son William in riots in Zanzibar.

MARCH Continuing work on Chinese railway loan settlements and bondholders committee, 'The Americans as usual are making trouble', 4; British and Chinese Corporation (B&C Corp.)., P&O and London University Court meetings; son-in-law Bernard to be a director of the Bank of England, 'the highest distinction the city can confer', 20; to Paris.

APRIL Continued work on bondholders' business; also P&O and British and Chinese Corporation (B&C Corp.). meetings; makes speech on 'Service above Self' at Tunbridge Wells Rotary Club; refuses Norman's request to attend the Pacific Relations Conference.

MAY Hankow completion loan settled, 'a new chapter in Chinese negotiations', 4, with discussions thereon at the Treasury; British and Chinese Corporation (B&C Corp.)., P&O and London University Court meetings; to Paris; daughter Betty and family to live locally.

JUNE Problems in Shanghai with Ningpo completion loan.

JULY To Paris; attends talks on the bondholders committee, London University Court and British and Chinese Corporation (B&C Corp.). meetings; meets new Japanese ambassador and discusses Russian and Japanese armaments.AUGUST Death of son George, 5; busy answering letters of condolence and settling his estate; to lunch at Bank of England, 'It does me good to go there, so fresh and friendly is my welcome', 14; attends Chinese railway talks at the Foreign Office.

SEPTEMBER Attends Chinese railway talks at the British and Chinese Corporation (B&C Corp.).

OCTOBER Writes to the Foreign Office about French and German activities in China; to Scotland with wife; to Paris, 'outlook more reassuring.' 26.

NOVEMBER Attends London University Court and P&O meetings; writing on Open Tenders, 'I hope I do this kind of thing better than formerly. It certainly costs me a lot more trouble.' 13.

DECEMBER Attends meetings at the Japanese Embassy to discuss Anglo-Japanese relations, 'words, words, words.' 15.

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