10th October '51

Hongkong Bank,
Penang

Dear Mum, Dad and Alan,

Have had a very social weekend which has terminated a social week. The 21st birthday party that I attended on the day after the cocktails at the Agent's was very enjoyable and finished up at 3.30 am. On Thursday Tony Vaughan came down from Kuala Lumpur to catch the Corfu on the way home. On Friday Roger Moore visited us from Bangkok as a member of the inter port rugby team. On the same day Mike Figg came in from Singapore to spend a week of his local leave with us. Friday evening the Penang Sports Club threw a cocktail party and afterwards I went on the Corfu to see Kay. On Saturday we had the Rugby dance and I managed to get to bed by 5.45 am Sunday. Had pre-tiffin drinks with the Agent on Sunday and tiffin at the swimming club. Played golf in the afternoon and went into the Rices in the evening for drinks. Monday evening was spent in saying goodbye to Roger Moore and last night I went to bed as soon as I arrived home from the office.

15th Oct. 1951

Have now received your letter of 4th Oct. which must have been delayed somewhat and have duly noted tyre and one 's' in occasion. The throat is now A.1. You ought to know better than to worry about my health once I have told you. It always means all is OK then! Have included some tea in the last parcel but am not sure when it is due to arrive. Have also sent tea to 1.) Henry & Hilda 2.) Mrs Martin & 3.) Ian & Margaret and another parcel to Grandma. These are by way of being Christmas presents as you can tell them that I am just making sure they get through the post in time.

The weekend finished with swirl of activity as in the evening of Sunday we had the session with Sir A and the others from the "Canton". All went very well and we first stood around chattering and generally spending an informal 3 hours.

Edwards mentioned that the odds were very great against my being moved from Malaya during this tour so I forbore to ask him if I could take over New York agency. Lady Morse, on saying goodbye, hoped I had not much more to do this tour before leave. I just muttered something about 3 yrs and she retreated saying she was sorry that she had said the wrong thing. She is a very pleasant person however and can be just a little bit vague at times.

Mike Figg, who spent last week with us before moving on to Ipoh, left on Saturday. It was a change to have someone new in the mess over a period and we spent some enjoyable evenings showing him Penang.

Hope your "feeling depressed" has passed over. Probably the weather.

Cheerio and love,
Peter