204
arrival, but he contrived to leave behind a large
reserve on his departure. The work done by him
was so solidly compacted in its details that it has
lasted till now*
Sir George Casson Walker, a conscientious,
hard-working man was a chronic dyspeptic with
a somewhat unhappy look. His manner seemed
cold and uninviting at first. He was a man
of few words, but on further acquaintance he
seemed to expand and then came into full light
his genuine and cordial manner.
As the most important official in the State
below the Minister, he wielded great authority,
and Hyderabad people, whose self-regarding in-
stinct made them fully aware of this, did not fail
to make approaches by various routes, hoping to
win favours. There used to be crowds of people
at his house on Tuesday morning soon after
9 o'clock, the time he had fixed for receiving
visitors, many officials, big and small, and a
mixed lot of people. As I did not wish to be one
of them, I purposely delayed calling on Mr. Walker
until a month or so after his arrival. When I saw
him, I explained why I had waited so long : it
was to allow him sufficient time to understand
the ways of our people. I found him a little dry,
as he usually was, but polite like an English
gentleman. Afterwards I met him occasionally
in a social way, and in time we became more
intimate. I was then in the Legislative Depart-
ment as Under-Secretary and sometimes officiated