Jesselton
Dear Mum Dad and Alan,
I am late in writing this time because of a short revisit to Beaufort for the end of the month and have not been able to find energy to write after a day in the office. The rain has started again and for the most part this is beneficial but usually the evening is muggy. Your parcel arrived safely and the pyjamas and records were just what i wanted - thank you very much indeed for taking so much trouble, I do appreciate it a lot. Beaufort is going very well in that it has run without me and without snags. They handle Current & Savings accounts, Loans, remittances and many other odds and ends. It taught me a lot of things in a hurry and I also found I had to draw on memory of events way back. I went back for 2 days to help them with their month end returns and expect that in future someone else will go up on monthly inspections as I am booked to understudy the accountant in June for a three week relief job in July. Also I have two weeks local leave this month when we hope to go to Ranau for a few days. This is a very quiet spot in the interior which is supposed to be cool.
You appear to pack more and more into your daily life and weekly letter than ever - from museums to wills. I imagine you without time to sit down. I am not to have the "appointment" because I am too junior! But I have got the desk allowance and the Bank's Power of Attorney. It is all very odd and I have not heard of such a thing happening before. but as I cannot in anyway question the matter I do not supposed I shall ever know the real reason for it. It is certainly a strange sort of job after the Books routine. I spent one morning last week going over the bank building with the architect & then obtaining estimates for running repairs etc. We have a dozen or so offices overhead which we lease and thins require repairs all the time from WC doors jamming to touching up the paintwork in the lifts & leaks in the roof after a heavy rain. This afternoon (Saturday) I have unpacked £500 worth of crockery being 5 years supply to the entitled housed in the 3 territories. The next thing is to pack part of it and ship it off & get it on to the inventories. £500 worth of glassware is to arrive next month! There are no packing facilities or extra staff to handle this sort of thing & normal work must go on so it is all extra time to be given up. I do not mind it for the most part, but there is nothing to show for it in the end. One thing, the people between the Mess standard & accountants are now to be given their own crockery, glassware & cutlery & kitchen ware. It is not up to the standard or quantity of the other, but will be a great help. I am ordering it now & expect it will arrive in a year's time. So perhaps next tour we shall be able to leave some of our stuff packed up. The stock market seems higher than ever but my shares have just not responded to it and I have lost interest for the time being. Hope Carreras produces a good end year result otherwise 1962 is going to be a long time to wait for. The rubber price has been firm at 90 cents for a few weeks & anything above 80 cents should give Bangowan a reasonable trading profit - I think they must have a good year. Margo has spent a very busy day with the Red Cross selling on a magazine and book stall in part of their annual bazaar. Apparently there was such a rush that they had to fight off a mob. They sold (2 ladies) all the books most at 10 cents each & raised over $250. The great news of the week which I have left till last is that Margo has passed her driving test! Freda Ingham took her out time after time & Margo passed easily - as she should have done the first time she took it in Jesselton. Ever since she has been out and about in the car and is busier than ever. Wee took the Ingham's out to dinner - Steak & a bottle at our air conditioned eatery & afterwards to the Golf Club where the US Navy gave a band show & dance. Margo went on the heavy cruiser USS St Paul in harbour here & took Adrienne & had an amazing morning sightseeing. That night we were at a cocktail party at H. E (Gov House) to meet the officers. There were Captains & Admirals all over the place and a very cheery bunch. They were all down here on the SEATO exercise and we have had helicopters and other weird aircraft overhead for a few days.
Cannot hold the pen anymore. All our love expecially from the girls.
Peter
Sunday, April 3, 2011
13th April 1961
Written on HSBC Beaufort airmail letter
Dear Mum Dad and Alan,
I have not received a letter for some time but expect there is one waiting for me in Jesselton. I return in two days time having completed the job I came for. The opening was an exciting affair. When I first arrived the contractors were still in the building and the first conferences were held in the dirt street. We got in in the evening before the opening and unpacked the desks and stationery to make the place look like a bank. At 9 am we set off the firecracker which made a five minute explosion and covered the road with red paper and the new paint with soot. Twenty minutes later when the smoke had cleared from the interior we were able to reenter the office and phone through that we were operating. The two managers from Jesselton came down in the evening and we had a party for 200 people in the Beaufort Club which was quite successful despite a large proportion of the guests not being in a position to write let alone run a banking account. However, we have progressed steadily since then and although nothing startling has occurred we have opened several accounts of different types and have our first loans & overdrafts approved by Jessleton. I expect to come down periodically to see how things are going. The train journey is hot & tedious and the Rest House very utility. The place has no attraction whatsoever although business wise it should grow and if a few roads are built out to civilisation the place itself may improve. I have not received official confirmation of S/Acct and am unlikely to do so now - however, I am being paid for the job & that is all that matters. I am of course curious to know why they have changed the system but I guess the ways of Head Offices have to remain mysterious. The family are all well & a visiting physiotherapist was pleased with E. progress and had some suggestions to make.
Cheerio for now and all my love, Peter
Dear Mum Dad and Alan,
I have not received a letter for some time but expect there is one waiting for me in Jesselton. I return in two days time having completed the job I came for. The opening was an exciting affair. When I first arrived the contractors were still in the building and the first conferences were held in the dirt street. We got in in the evening before the opening and unpacked the desks and stationery to make the place look like a bank. At 9 am we set off the firecracker which made a five minute explosion and covered the road with red paper and the new paint with soot. Twenty minutes later when the smoke had cleared from the interior we were able to reenter the office and phone through that we were operating. The two managers from Jesselton came down in the evening and we had a party for 200 people in the Beaufort Club which was quite successful despite a large proportion of the guests not being in a position to write let alone run a banking account. However, we have progressed steadily since then and although nothing startling has occurred we have opened several accounts of different types and have our first loans & overdrafts approved by Jessleton. I expect to come down periodically to see how things are going. The train journey is hot & tedious and the Rest House very utility. The place has no attraction whatsoever although business wise it should grow and if a few roads are built out to civilisation the place itself may improve. I have not received official confirmation of S/Acct and am unlikely to do so now - however, I am being paid for the job & that is all that matters. I am of course curious to know why they have changed the system but I guess the ways of Head Offices have to remain mysterious. The family are all well & a visiting physiotherapist was pleased with E. progress and had some suggestions to make.
Cheerio for now and all my love, Peter
Friday, April 1, 2011
24th March 61
H.S.B.C
PO Box 76,
Beaufort
Dear Mum, Dad and Alan,
Firstly very many thanks for your parcel - it was really magnificent and the children looked very smart in their shorts. Both Susan and Elisabeth enjoyed their birthdays, although we did not arrange special parties for them. Secondly, your letter about your water-heater beats the experiences we have had with Beaufort. I am not there yet but go on 27th and open on 29th. The contractors have not finished, the safe door handle has broken, some stationery is missing and there hasn't been any time to train the staff. As far as I tell I am the only person worried about it so, as usual, I should not be. Anyway the waiting is almost over and in a week's time I guess we will see the results. I shall come back to Jesselton for Easter then spend 2/3 weeks in B. My appointment is not through yet - but as I am receiving the desk allowance I am not at all concerned. Roans have gone up, presumably on Sir Roy's acceptance of the N. Rod. constitution. My other interests are also graded upwards for the moment but am still doubtful about the rest of the year. I did not obtain 'Tonibell' which went to 80% premium! What an issue that was. Ian Macleod, who was teaching me bridge in Calcutta, is coming here in Nov as Accountant, so with Peter Hammond in Towan, Ken Rice in Sandakan, all to come this year, we shall have 4 people from my time in Calcutta in North Borneo. I cannot remember who Ethel Webb is or was. It is very hot here and difficult to do anything and am soaking wet all day, everyone else is the same and with the usual frustrations all day long, things do not progress as well as they might. A good storm should arrive soon and then we can relax. Hope your heater is in now and all is well. I will not know the house on leave, will I?
Love from us all and Best Wishes,
Peter
The odd writing is due to a bent pen!
PO Box 76,
Beaufort
Dear Mum, Dad and Alan,
Firstly very many thanks for your parcel - it was really magnificent and the children looked very smart in their shorts. Both Susan and Elisabeth enjoyed their birthdays, although we did not arrange special parties for them. Secondly, your letter about your water-heater beats the experiences we have had with Beaufort. I am not there yet but go on 27th and open on 29th. The contractors have not finished, the safe door handle has broken, some stationery is missing and there hasn't been any time to train the staff. As far as I tell I am the only person worried about it so, as usual, I should not be. Anyway the waiting is almost over and in a week's time I guess we will see the results. I shall come back to Jesselton for Easter then spend 2/3 weeks in B. My appointment is not through yet - but as I am receiving the desk allowance I am not at all concerned. Roans have gone up, presumably on Sir Roy's acceptance of the N. Rod. constitution. My other interests are also graded upwards for the moment but am still doubtful about the rest of the year. I did not obtain 'Tonibell' which went to 80% premium! What an issue that was. Ian Macleod, who was teaching me bridge in Calcutta, is coming here in Nov as Accountant, so with Peter Hammond in Towan, Ken Rice in Sandakan, all to come this year, we shall have 4 people from my time in Calcutta in North Borneo. I cannot remember who Ethel Webb is or was. It is very hot here and difficult to do anything and am soaking wet all day, everyone else is the same and with the usual frustrations all day long, things do not progress as well as they might. A good storm should arrive soon and then we can relax. Hope your heater is in now and all is well. I will not know the house on leave, will I?
Love from us all and Best Wishes,
Peter
The odd writing is due to a bent pen!
8th March 1961
The Hongkong Bank
Jesselton N.B.
Dear Mum, Dad and Alan,
Thank you for your letter. I ought to have written before because so much has happened that I am bound to leave something out. John Lewis arrived a week ago last Friday (25 Feb) and I met him on the ship and his wife and one small baby. Ships are difficult things to meet here and this one stood off all day before finally coming alongside at 5 pm. They were to stay for two days at the Inghams' house before moving in to ours and I finally got them ashore with mountains of luggage. Luckily I had previously arranged a lorry. The next day, Saturday the Manager was due to (a Praying Mantis just landed on my head) sail in a club race and the Accountant had not returned from sick leave so I met the Shanghai manager also on a ship and gave Margo 1/2hr notice for lunch. He was very interesting with storys of present day China & I fitted him up with evening kit for a party he was due to attend that night. The next day two lorrys arrived and we commenced our move to the new house - lock, stock and barrel. We had previously moved two lorry loads including flowers & orchids [Oh! I forgot to mention the four prizes Margo won at the flower show the previous afternoon ($25 in all)] and we were in the house fairly done in by midday. Everyone seems happy including the servants who had to move with us. The children love it and so do we. It is in a grand location and it is palatial - will send photos soon. Mason Nelson, the broker friend of mine arrived from Singapore and we had dinner and as you can imagine talked a great. He though Carreras worth holding for some time to come. Saw Duncan Leach off on the Sunday. All this time have been trying hand over to Lewis (poor chap he has had a rough introduction to books) do my own job and continue to get on with opening Beaufort. Ordering such things as a strong room door, toilet paper and a 25 foot firecracker - besides all the rubber stamps ledgers cheque books etc etc. And writing instructions on how it should run. I shall be glad to get up there so that I only have one thing to think about. Though once I have ordered a Bank Flag and a Clock I think most things will be complete. Have ordered some Tonibell - ice-cream people with an issue on 7th. Won't know how many I will get, but I had heard vague talk about them and one customer made an order. I still think Roan's are a good risk. After all - despite the trouble going on around them all this time they still have not had as much as a strike. There was a local (Singapore) marking for Bangarwan at 1/3d done yesterday. I was interested in BATU TIGA when at 5/9d but did not buy. They are now at 7/9d and Mason Nelson thinks they may go down as he considers some recent take-over bidders will not succeed. He said they are a very good company - good cash reserves and lots of new hight yielding rubber. There is a chance that part of their land will have to be sold for development - airport district but the price should be very worthwhile. I think a buy at 6/6d or less would be good provided one ensured the reason for the drop was not adverse. A share to watch and I can get a report at anytime in the future should you require one.
The children are fit and Elizabeth is moving the right leg a wee bit. The left leg is still not doing anything but time will tell.
All our love and best wishes, Peter.
(I still have not had the confirmation of my new job but expect they are waiting for a Board meeting - as long as they dont forget!)
Jesselton N.B.
Dear Mum, Dad and Alan,
Thank you for your letter. I ought to have written before because so much has happened that I am bound to leave something out. John Lewis arrived a week ago last Friday (25 Feb) and I met him on the ship and his wife and one small baby. Ships are difficult things to meet here and this one stood off all day before finally coming alongside at 5 pm. They were to stay for two days at the Inghams' house before moving in to ours and I finally got them ashore with mountains of luggage. Luckily I had previously arranged a lorry. The next day, Saturday the Manager was due to (a Praying Mantis just landed on my head) sail in a club race and the Accountant had not returned from sick leave so I met the Shanghai manager also on a ship and gave Margo 1/2hr notice for lunch. He was very interesting with storys of present day China & I fitted him up with evening kit for a party he was due to attend that night. The next day two lorrys arrived and we commenced our move to the new house - lock, stock and barrel. We had previously moved two lorry loads including flowers & orchids [Oh! I forgot to mention the four prizes Margo won at the flower show the previous afternoon ($25 in all)] and we were in the house fairly done in by midday. Everyone seems happy including the servants who had to move with us. The children love it and so do we. It is in a grand location and it is palatial - will send photos soon. Mason Nelson, the broker friend of mine arrived from Singapore and we had dinner and as you can imagine talked a great. He though Carreras worth holding for some time to come. Saw Duncan Leach off on the Sunday. All this time have been trying hand over to Lewis (poor chap he has had a rough introduction to books) do my own job and continue to get on with opening Beaufort. Ordering such things as a strong room door, toilet paper and a 25 foot firecracker - besides all the rubber stamps ledgers cheque books etc etc. And writing instructions on how it should run. I shall be glad to get up there so that I only have one thing to think about. Though once I have ordered a Bank Flag and a Clock I think most things will be complete. Have ordered some Tonibell - ice-cream people with an issue on 7th. Won't know how many I will get, but I had heard vague talk about them and one customer made an order. I still think Roan's are a good risk. After all - despite the trouble going on around them all this time they still have not had as much as a strike. There was a local (Singapore) marking for Bangarwan at 1/3d done yesterday. I was interested in BATU TIGA when at 5/9d but did not buy. They are now at 7/9d and Mason Nelson thinks they may go down as he considers some recent take-over bidders will not succeed. He said they are a very good company - good cash reserves and lots of new hight yielding rubber. There is a chance that part of their land will have to be sold for development - airport district but the price should be very worthwhile. I think a buy at 6/6d or less would be good provided one ensured the reason for the drop was not adverse. A share to watch and I can get a report at anytime in the future should you require one.
The children are fit and Elizabeth is moving the right leg a wee bit. The left leg is still not doing anything but time will tell.
All our love and best wishes, Peter.
(I still have not had the confirmation of my new job but expect they are waiting for a Board meeting - as long as they dont forget!)
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