20th Oct 1957

Written on HSBC Calcutta headed airmail letter. Addressed to Mr & Mrs L.V.C. Briggs, 65 Tamworth Park, Mitcham, Surrey from P.H. Briggs at 31 Dalhousie Square.

Dear Mum, Dad and Alan,

Many thanks for your letter which arrived a day before our strike ended. Yes, it is all over after 31 days and in retrospect was very interesting and though I say it we did very well and I believe maintained a better service than any other bank. Most places maintained a cash service but our bill departments also operated. Of course the clearing hasn't opened yet and hundreds of cheques will block proper working for two or more weeks yet, but nevertheless without unforseen difficulties my own department will be on a properly running basis before the end of next week. My ordinary work was further complicated with the arrival of many ships and a few railway goods in transit but these including Rs 2000000 worth of steel have been cared for in almost a normal manner. Unfortunately, the settlement terms were not what we wished for owing to the usual lack of assistance or understanding by government and I think they can expect another attempt at wrecking their own economy in the New Year. Our phone, luckily is free! It has been very useful in the last two weeks as Margo was very ill with a tummy upset first though to be dysentry. The doctor had 3 tries at presenting the right medicine and finally fixed things. Very worrying as Margo lost a stone in weight - but is OK now and I am confident that she will be very fit by 9th Nov. especially as a cool breeze has sprung up heralding the winter's approach. I have a complete weekend off and a holiday on Tuesday which I am going to use so we shall go out into the sun and try to receive our holiday good looks. Caroline continues her odd teething series and has produced a double tooth before completing her singles. It came through without the slightest bother and she is in so fine a form that she continues to put on weight at an age when slackening off would be expected. Borneo would be pleasant to go to but I believe there is little work there. My name is still down for Shanghai and with planned expansion of business in China a posting there next tour might be productive. My special regards to Mr & Mrs Smith when you see them and our love to you all,

Margo, Caroline and Peter.