The Hongkong and Shanghai BCorpn
Central PO Box 227
Osaka
Japan
Dear Mum, Dad and Alan,
The postal services have been slow recently owing to go slows and strikes so your letter to me has probably got held up. Like you over Easter we moved back into a cold spell but no snow. The famous Cherry Blossom was delayed but once it did come out lived up to its promise. Yesterday we went for a walk to see the last of it and with the ground covered in petals it was quit a blossom covered scene.
The week previous to Easter saw us on the aircraft carrier at a cocktail party as a guest of the Admiral and about 200 of his officers. We also went to the Consul's cocktail party to meet a crowd of them. And on Saturday had 3 POs to the house for lunch and tea. The children enjoyed the visit and I hope the POs did, anyway they were very pleasant and afterwards when taken back to the ship took the driver and me up to the top to see the aircraft.
On Easter Sunday we went to Awaji island off Kobe by ferry. It poured with rain all day but we pressed on with difficult conditions on mud and dirt roads to the end of the island/ This all but joins the jut of land and the Inland Sea swirls through here forming whirlpools and rapids. We barely had time for lunch before returning on the two hour drive to catch the ferry back. It was a long day for very little but that is usual here. Travel is difficult, poor roads, crowds and not too much to see when one gets there.
However, there are good spots and during the week, the children are on holiday, Margo took them to Nara where there is a deer park and many temples, plus the largist Buddha in the world (or one of them). Again it was a long journey but not yet crowded at the other end, and they had a good time.
The sun came out today and we played tennis for the first time on our court. A little stiff afterwards but good fun. The garden is in blossom with a dark blue flower on a mountain bush, pansies, tulips and daffodiles are out and the grass is beginning to turn green. It is a very attractive garden but impossible to photograph because it is on a hill. I shall have to take it in bits.
Trust all is well with you and warmer weather is on the way. Love from us all
Peter.
Sunday, November 2, 2014
Monday, August 18, 2014
4th April 1965
The Hongkong and Shanghai Bank
P O Box 227 Central
Osaka Japan
Dear Mum Dad and Alan,
Many thanks for your letter - have been busy over the quarter and other odds and ends which have cropped up. Won 11/- on the pools being two 3rd prizes - perhaps it will really come up one day. Last weekend took a trip in to Kyoto, the old capital of Japan. Full of temples and things. It was very cold and not too attractive. Probably better later in the season but then the crowds are out and it is then equally disappointing. But it was a day out and a change. The girls colds have gone and the last coughs are clearing. It was a bad season for them and I am pleased it is over as nights were pretty restless. The weather is odd, it remaining cold long after it should do and the famed cherry blossom has yet to appear, but the garden is full of things just starting up and will be very beautiful as soon as the warmer air comes through. Hope Alan's firm does not move him too soon, it would be a lot to start a 3rd home going in such a short space of time.
Thank you for the news on K L rubber - not much good in the market just now and must wait to see just what the budget will bring forth. The girls will be on holiday for Easter soon though we do not get a holiday ourselves, time soon goes round. The pictures of the centenary were very good - I have paid the bills during the last week and they were quite large - I wonder what they were throughout the bank.
Cheerio for now and love from us all. Peter.
P O Box 227 Central
Osaka Japan
Dear Mum Dad and Alan,
Many thanks for your letter - have been busy over the quarter and other odds and ends which have cropped up. Won 11/- on the pools being two 3rd prizes - perhaps it will really come up one day. Last weekend took a trip in to Kyoto, the old capital of Japan. Full of temples and things. It was very cold and not too attractive. Probably better later in the season but then the crowds are out and it is then equally disappointing. But it was a day out and a change. The girls colds have gone and the last coughs are clearing. It was a bad season for them and I am pleased it is over as nights were pretty restless. The weather is odd, it remaining cold long after it should do and the famed cherry blossom has yet to appear, but the garden is full of things just starting up and will be very beautiful as soon as the warmer air comes through. Hope Alan's firm does not move him too soon, it would be a lot to start a 3rd home going in such a short space of time.
Thank you for the news on K L rubber - not much good in the market just now and must wait to see just what the budget will bring forth. The girls will be on holiday for Easter soon though we do not get a holiday ourselves, time soon goes round. The pictures of the centenary were very good - I have paid the bills during the last week and they were quite large - I wonder what they were throughout the bank.
Cheerio for now and love from us all. Peter.
13th March 1965
The Hongkong and Shanghai Bank
Central P O Box 227
Osaka,
Japan
Dear Mum Dad and Alan,
Many thanks for your letter and the cheque for Susan and Elisabeth. We had lots of presents for Elisabeth and today had her small party with the little girl Jeanette Sayer from next door. Went to the Oji Zoo in Kobe this afternoon with them and on many of the moving things in the amusement park there. It started very fine but snow came at one stage but not enough to spoil it and they had a fine time. Susan and Adrienne stayed at home because of tempertures - flu has been going the rounds but the worst if over. Cannot thin of anything for my birthday at the moment - Christmas has just passed and I more or less stocked up on leave. We have a library for books at Margo's Women's club so they are no problem. I don't know which child is the most musical but we no longer have the mouthorgan or flute at home - perhaps they have been lost - I hope. Glad you saw Con he is between 55 & 60 so will have a few years more to go yet as far as Eagle Star are concerned.
I find it hard to believe that anyone told the Home Staff that the Bank was run for the Foreign Staff. What is difficult to make them understand is that under present conditions as opposed to those of pre-war the Home Staff are materially better off, whereas it should be the other way round, in compensation for some of the bad postings one has to put up with. However, the least said the better and Ian is not doing so badly. I don't think I heard about the pub - unless I let it go in one ear and out the other as just "one of those things". I hope it turns out OK as there have been so many schemes. Thanks for the horoscope - rather than do too much there is a tendancy to sit back in the quiet periods rather than stir things up. Still no union meeting but they are hatching something and that can keep us busy if they really got cracking. They don't have that bother in London office.
Well all else is well - this cold snap must go soon and we will see more of the countryside. Look after yourselves.
Love from us all Peter.
Central P O Box 227
Osaka,
Japan
Dear Mum Dad and Alan,
Many thanks for your letter and the cheque for Susan and Elisabeth. We had lots of presents for Elisabeth and today had her small party with the little girl Jeanette Sayer from next door. Went to the Oji Zoo in Kobe this afternoon with them and on many of the moving things in the amusement park there. It started very fine but snow came at one stage but not enough to spoil it and they had a fine time. Susan and Adrienne stayed at home because of tempertures - flu has been going the rounds but the worst if over. Cannot thin of anything for my birthday at the moment - Christmas has just passed and I more or less stocked up on leave. We have a library for books at Margo's Women's club so they are no problem. I don't know which child is the most musical but we no longer have the mouthorgan or flute at home - perhaps they have been lost - I hope. Glad you saw Con he is between 55 & 60 so will have a few years more to go yet as far as Eagle Star are concerned.
I find it hard to believe that anyone told the Home Staff that the Bank was run for the Foreign Staff. What is difficult to make them understand is that under present conditions as opposed to those of pre-war the Home Staff are materially better off, whereas it should be the other way round, in compensation for some of the bad postings one has to put up with. However, the least said the better and Ian is not doing so badly. I don't think I heard about the pub - unless I let it go in one ear and out the other as just "one of those things". I hope it turns out OK as there have been so many schemes. Thanks for the horoscope - rather than do too much there is a tendancy to sit back in the quiet periods rather than stir things up. Still no union meeting but they are hatching something and that can keep us busy if they really got cracking. They don't have that bother in London office.
Well all else is well - this cold snap must go soon and we will see more of the countryside. Look after yourselves.
Love from us all Peter.
6th March 1965
The Hongkong and Shanghai Bk
PO Box 227
Osaka
Japan
Dear Mum, Dad and Alan,
Thank you for your letter which Margo answered for me. We are a lot more settled now that two months have passed since our arrival. It is still on the cold side with snow again this week but still not settling. Afterwards I read of your severe spell which is a lot worse than ours. The children continue to like school - and that is where the car goes daily. Even if I used it to go to the office it would take twice as long as the train as the roads are so cluttered up in the city. So I go to the station in the car - wait for the train then half an hour to Osaka then the office car to the office. A complicated business compared to the last fifteen years when the office has been in easy reach - but it only takes getting used to and already it appears normal. However, I rarely drive now except at weekends and the road sense of the other users is so non-existant that it is a frightening experience.
We went to George Washington Ball last Saturday as the guests of an American couple and had an unusually interesting time. However, it was spoilt by the lateness of the affair and we did not get home to bed until 3.30 am on the Sunday. I feel fine at the time but the next two days are spent in recovery. The Americans here are in some force in oil, textiles and engineering. Many Germans & Swiss in Dyestuffs and in fact every other nationality one can think of seems to be around. The train carries the speech of most of the east and europe together.
I still have not met the Union but there is a strong undercurrent and things are sure to boiling up. Unfortunately we have one or two reds - well trained. Fellows who must prove their worth or lose their following and this spells trouble, but it is unavoidable I am afraid and part of the job. This morning I had my monthly Saturday in Kobe office whilst the manager had his morning off. We have been open there since 1868 but business is not what it was and things are not too busy. It makes a change too when I pay a visit. The servants, the cook & maid are with us at the moment and appear happy - one never knows how long this will last as they are liable to go off at a moments notice - but all seems well at present. Elisabeth is swimming daily in a hot vibro bath which has helped many people and least gives her daily exercise. She has been inclined to be naughty at physiotherapy as she needs a firm hand and no one will treat her this way let alone Japanese; plus the language barrier so she tends to play up a lot. However, it is a great deal better than nothing. Still working towards the centenary and have fixed everything we can think of at the moment - just a matter of hoping for the best now. The Osaka Grand Hotel reception for 350 should be attractive. Have no arranged for flowers in the bank colours of red and white. Three flags on display and a block of ice encasing a miniature bank flag with ice 100 on top (a picture is drawn here on the letter).
The local staff dinner - chinese food- on the day before has been arranged with a magician's show to go with it. Apparently Japanese het tight on one drink and go puce so I hope they do not break up the place. Again we can only hope for the best. Am in the process of selling the office car and getting a new one. This should happen on Monday. Nothing can go wrong here except that the buyer will not turn up. The trouble is one is so indoctrinated to expect the unusual impossible and unexpected that the simplest transaction assumes difficulties it just hasn't got. If I could only get it all down on paper some of it would be very funny.
Cheerio for now and love to you all from us all in the land of the rising sun. Peter
PO Box 227
Osaka
Japan
Dear Mum, Dad and Alan,
Thank you for your letter which Margo answered for me. We are a lot more settled now that two months have passed since our arrival. It is still on the cold side with snow again this week but still not settling. Afterwards I read of your severe spell which is a lot worse than ours. The children continue to like school - and that is where the car goes daily. Even if I used it to go to the office it would take twice as long as the train as the roads are so cluttered up in the city. So I go to the station in the car - wait for the train then half an hour to Osaka then the office car to the office. A complicated business compared to the last fifteen years when the office has been in easy reach - but it only takes getting used to and already it appears normal. However, I rarely drive now except at weekends and the road sense of the other users is so non-existant that it is a frightening experience.
We went to George Washington Ball last Saturday as the guests of an American couple and had an unusually interesting time. However, it was spoilt by the lateness of the affair and we did not get home to bed until 3.30 am on the Sunday. I feel fine at the time but the next two days are spent in recovery. The Americans here are in some force in oil, textiles and engineering. Many Germans & Swiss in Dyestuffs and in fact every other nationality one can think of seems to be around. The train carries the speech of most of the east and europe together.
I still have not met the Union but there is a strong undercurrent and things are sure to boiling up. Unfortunately we have one or two reds - well trained. Fellows who must prove their worth or lose their following and this spells trouble, but it is unavoidable I am afraid and part of the job. This morning I had my monthly Saturday in Kobe office whilst the manager had his morning off. We have been open there since 1868 but business is not what it was and things are not too busy. It makes a change too when I pay a visit. The servants, the cook & maid are with us at the moment and appear happy - one never knows how long this will last as they are liable to go off at a moments notice - but all seems well at present. Elisabeth is swimming daily in a hot vibro bath which has helped many people and least gives her daily exercise. She has been inclined to be naughty at physiotherapy as she needs a firm hand and no one will treat her this way let alone Japanese; plus the language barrier so she tends to play up a lot. However, it is a great deal better than nothing. Still working towards the centenary and have fixed everything we can think of at the moment - just a matter of hoping for the best now. The Osaka Grand Hotel reception for 350 should be attractive. Have no arranged for flowers in the bank colours of red and white. Three flags on display and a block of ice encasing a miniature bank flag with ice 100 on top (a picture is drawn here on the letter).
The local staff dinner - chinese food- on the day before has been arranged with a magician's show to go with it. Apparently Japanese het tight on one drink and go puce so I hope they do not break up the place. Again we can only hope for the best. Am in the process of selling the office car and getting a new one. This should happen on Monday. Nothing can go wrong here except that the buyer will not turn up. The trouble is one is so indoctrinated to expect the unusual impossible and unexpected that the simplest transaction assumes difficulties it just hasn't got. If I could only get it all down on paper some of it would be very funny.
Cheerio for now and love to you all from us all in the land of the rising sun. Peter
Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Jan to March 65 two extracts from letters
My father would have been on leave in UK for about 6 months in 1964 before taking up his post in Japan but I don't know why there are no letters from 1964. The following two extracts are in the file after the last post of Jan 65 and before the next post in March so I have included them here in that order.
Page 2 of letter headed with
Tel. Ashiya 2-3188 10-1 Rokurokuso-cho Ashiya (crossed out)
"area and the office itself has two floors of tenents above us to be looked after. There are still seeral local systems which have to be investigated. The language difficulty is the main barrier even in the office and that is going to take time to get used to. I don't see myself learning it at all. But once I have done the first six months things will settled into place. Especially when the warmer weather comes in. I just can't cope with being boiling hot as I am now then standing on an icy station as I will be doing tomorrow morning. However, I am told things warm up at the end of this month, and go on doing so until July when temperatures of 120 deg are normal. Earthquakes are, I believe, pretty well continuous but do not bother us here. Tokyo have noticeable but small ones frequently and it is these you see reported in the UK papers - but not ours.
The girls have settled down remarkably well and the school seems to be a good one. The fees appeared pretty steep at first but are really quite manageable. Elisabeth is going along for physiotherapy for the first time this week and we are keeping our fingers crossed as no one is quite sure what to expect. The language difficulty may rear up here as well but I am sure it will be solvable. The shops are full - quality is not always what is should be and"
The next extract is typewritten by my mother with a PS written in my mother's writing.
"read the Science bok which Adrienne brings home to Elisabeth. At the moment A is learning about methods of heating which range from Central heating to hibernating animals! They wear a navy blue tunic, white blouse, white tights, navy cardigan with a gray blazer and a little navy skull cap. We have only just received our uniforms as the first tunics that the tailor made would have fitted me and they had to go back. The tunics are still much too long although they have been taken up 4 ins but I shall leave them now as in a few months the girls will be in summer uniform.
It is a change to see all the girls with colour in their cheeks - even Caroline and Elisabeth have rosy cheeks. We have 12 channels on T.V. - there is colour but we haven't that kind of set. There are several children's programmes during the day, especially for toddlers and E enjoys watching even tho' it is all in Japanese. The girls usually watch T.V. from 6 pm to 6.45 pm. -- this is when the cartoons are on, with Lassie (in Japanese) on Monday. They have DeputyDog, Huck Hound etc and it doesn't make any difference that the characters speak Japanese!! We seldom watch as the only programme in English is the "Defenders" which is odd as all the other American shows are dubbed. Imagine "The Lucy Show" in Japanese!!
If you like I will buy the girls Birthday presents -- there are plenty of toys here. Elisabeth desperatly wants a "Skipper"doll. This is a young sister of the Cindy dolls and is made here in Japan for 10/-. I believe we have to pay duty on all parcels except books. There are the items we are unable to buy. Only one shop sells English books for children and their stock is very limited. Perhaps you could send Caroline a book for her birthday as she is the one most in need. The others can read Caroline's books but she is rapidly outgrowing the first reader type book. C enjoys Enid Blyton and has read "The Caravan Family" etc. Now she would like either "The Saucy Jane Family" or "The Pole Star family" "The Buttercup Farm Family" The Seaside Family". Most of the bookshops will send books out direct and it will save you having to wrap them up.
I must go now and supervise the Maid -- it takes her a week to do what Mrs Bancroft did in one morning!!!
Love from us all -- Pter will be writing when he gets more time. I think it will take him a few months to settle down.
Margo Peter & the girls
P.S. Elisabeth & I go into Kobe for her exercises every afternoon for one hour. No one speaks English but I get by as I do when I buy food - by pointing & smiling. Everything is sold in grammes & kilos or metres. Also all packaged goods are printed in Japanese characters - never no whether it's soap flakes or starch!!
Page 2 of letter headed with
Tel. Ashiya 2-3188 10-1 Rokurokuso-cho Ashiya (crossed out)
"area and the office itself has two floors of tenents above us to be looked after. There are still seeral local systems which have to be investigated. The language difficulty is the main barrier even in the office and that is going to take time to get used to. I don't see myself learning it at all. But once I have done the first six months things will settled into place. Especially when the warmer weather comes in. I just can't cope with being boiling hot as I am now then standing on an icy station as I will be doing tomorrow morning. However, I am told things warm up at the end of this month, and go on doing so until July when temperatures of 120 deg are normal. Earthquakes are, I believe, pretty well continuous but do not bother us here. Tokyo have noticeable but small ones frequently and it is these you see reported in the UK papers - but not ours.
The girls have settled down remarkably well and the school seems to be a good one. The fees appeared pretty steep at first but are really quite manageable. Elisabeth is going along for physiotherapy for the first time this week and we are keeping our fingers crossed as no one is quite sure what to expect. The language difficulty may rear up here as well but I am sure it will be solvable. The shops are full - quality is not always what is should be and"
The next extract is typewritten by my mother with a PS written in my mother's writing.
"read the Science bok which Adrienne brings home to Elisabeth. At the moment A is learning about methods of heating which range from Central heating to hibernating animals! They wear a navy blue tunic, white blouse, white tights, navy cardigan with a gray blazer and a little navy skull cap. We have only just received our uniforms as the first tunics that the tailor made would have fitted me and they had to go back. The tunics are still much too long although they have been taken up 4 ins but I shall leave them now as in a few months the girls will be in summer uniform.
It is a change to see all the girls with colour in their cheeks - even Caroline and Elisabeth have rosy cheeks. We have 12 channels on T.V. - there is colour but we haven't that kind of set. There are several children's programmes during the day, especially for toddlers and E enjoys watching even tho' it is all in Japanese. The girls usually watch T.V. from 6 pm to 6.45 pm. -- this is when the cartoons are on, with Lassie (in Japanese) on Monday. They have DeputyDog, Huck Hound etc and it doesn't make any difference that the characters speak Japanese!! We seldom watch as the only programme in English is the "Defenders" which is odd as all the other American shows are dubbed. Imagine "The Lucy Show" in Japanese!!
If you like I will buy the girls Birthday presents -- there are plenty of toys here. Elisabeth desperatly wants a "Skipper"doll. This is a young sister of the Cindy dolls and is made here in Japan for 10/-. I believe we have to pay duty on all parcels except books. There are the items we are unable to buy. Only one shop sells English books for children and their stock is very limited. Perhaps you could send Caroline a book for her birthday as she is the one most in need. The others can read Caroline's books but she is rapidly outgrowing the first reader type book. C enjoys Enid Blyton and has read "The Caravan Family" etc. Now she would like either "The Saucy Jane Family" or "The Pole Star family" "The Buttercup Farm Family" The Seaside Family". Most of the bookshops will send books out direct and it will save you having to wrap them up.
I must go now and supervise the Maid -- it takes her a week to do what Mrs Bancroft did in one morning!!!
Love from us all -- Pter will be writing when he gets more time. I think it will take him a few months to settle down.
Margo Peter & the girls
P.S. Elisabeth & I go into Kobe for her exercises every afternoon for one hour. No one speaks English but I get by as I do when I buy food - by pointing & smiling. Everything is sold in grammes & kilos or metres. Also all packaged goods are printed in Japanese characters - never no whether it's soap flakes or starch!!
31st Jan 65
The Hongkong and Shanghai Bank
Central PO Box 227
Osaka
Dear Mum, Dad and Alan,
Thank you for your letter, I have not written before because things have been as busy as I expected. A great deal is new and one cannot relax until reasonably confident that all is understood. It is anyway a busy time as January includes all the end of the year work and we are also printing invitation cards and great lists for the centenary in March. I went out to a Chinese meal at lunch time last week to test the setting for a local staff party of 80 for the same purpose also in March. It all cuts into the time available. But as you say one thing at a time. Documentation takes ages here and one has to visit the offices personally although a Japanese clerk has to come along to do all the talking. We have finally got our Alien registration cards and driving licences which must be carried at all times and never lost. This all took three working mornings and various luncheons took odd hours out from the office. One also has to get used to leaving fairly promptly to catch the train - you have never seen such crowds. Luckily one can use the bank car if leaving at the proper time otherwise the underground provides the entertainment of complete crush. One stands outside a full carriage and waits for the crowd behind to push one in. There are no seats and its just bad luck if you go down because you would never get up again. I have done this only once.
These are some of the tedious aspects of the place which are the first to become apparent in a new setting. It will take time to discover the better side. Meanwhile, Margo is doing much better and has found shopping in Kobe to be fairly easy and has contacted a doctor for Elisabeth. She is to see an Orthopaedic surgeon this week.
Cheerio for now and love
Peter
PS The girls are getting rosy cheeks from the cold weather
Central PO Box 227
Osaka
Dear Mum, Dad and Alan,
Thank you for your letter, I have not written before because things have been as busy as I expected. A great deal is new and one cannot relax until reasonably confident that all is understood. It is anyway a busy time as January includes all the end of the year work and we are also printing invitation cards and great lists for the centenary in March. I went out to a Chinese meal at lunch time last week to test the setting for a local staff party of 80 for the same purpose also in March. It all cuts into the time available. But as you say one thing at a time. Documentation takes ages here and one has to visit the offices personally although a Japanese clerk has to come along to do all the talking. We have finally got our Alien registration cards and driving licences which must be carried at all times and never lost. This all took three working mornings and various luncheons took odd hours out from the office. One also has to get used to leaving fairly promptly to catch the train - you have never seen such crowds. Luckily one can use the bank car if leaving at the proper time otherwise the underground provides the entertainment of complete crush. One stands outside a full carriage and waits for the crowd behind to push one in. There are no seats and its just bad luck if you go down because you would never get up again. I have done this only once.
These are some of the tedious aspects of the place which are the first to become apparent in a new setting. It will take time to discover the better side. Meanwhile, Margo is doing much better and has found shopping in Kobe to be fairly easy and has contacted a doctor for Elisabeth. She is to see an Orthopaedic surgeon this week.
Cheerio for now and love
Peter
PS The girls are getting rosy cheeks from the cold weather
28th November 63
The Hongkong and Shanghai Bank
Hongkong
Dear Mum Dad and Alan,
Thank you for your letter and for your cheque which will be well spent in due course. Adrienne's birthday went off very well and she takes the Panda to bed every night. Her large tricycle is her pride and joy and indeed with its red paint looks very fine. Margo was going to buy her first party dress for some time, but could not find exactly what she wanted. So Adrienne got a bicycle and Margo as usual made the dress herself. It is in Thai silk and looks very well.
We went to a very large wedding on Saturday. A very bank affair which went on from the ceremony at 4 pm to sometime after 7 pm. It was the forerunner of several social events. We will be out tomorrow and the following night. As usual all together at one time.
We went to the City Hall Theatre for the first time last week to celebrate our 9th anniversary and saw "Iolanthe", very well done too in lovely surroundings. We happened to be three rows in front of the Duke and Duchess of Kent which added to our evening. We had seen them out and about previously in Hongkong.
It is colder here now. Down to 62 F on the way to bottom at about 50 F. An electric fire is necessary now in the evenings and shortly we will be having a wood and coal fire. I have now got another colour film in the camera and am waiting for the combination fo a sunny and not hazy day which sometimes occurs here so that the really fascinating views can be taken. Glad you were impressed with the ferry in my last photos. There are a lot of them you know. Not only a lot of ferries but a lot of ferry routes to different places on the island and mainland. At 20 cents a time this is good value. At the rush hours they come in and are off fully loaded in minutes. The constant stream of people coming in and out of the ferry station reminds one of the crowds at the rush hours at the tube stations. All shapes and sizes and colours. Then the trip across the harbour is always full of interest, junks, barges, destroyers, steamships, tankers, cargoe boats all flying every flag under the sun. 10 minutes then bump at the other side and off to the buses, taxies, trains & rickshaws which are never too many to carry the thousands on the move to their places of business.
There is more rebuilding than ever in Hongkong. I was having a look around today. It is impossible to describe. As soon as one skyscraper is up then the one next door is taken down. Pole driving commences and another is on its way up. Millions of dollars go into property daily with an expected return in the extraordinary short time of 5 to 6 years. Rents are very high indeed and one wonders if the bubble will burst. But people have been wondering just that for a long time. Whilst writing this I am also tape recording from the wireless. With net result that I have managed two pieces at different speeds! Most odd, but as it is not a reel for my own amusement it doesn't matter very much. I must do another one for the children and send home. They still enjoy playing about on it although Elisabeth goes very babyish and wont do much herself. You noticed Elisabeth looked thinner in her photos. She has lost a lot of baby fat but is a lot heavier and her legs have grown well. They are better covered than when in England. Although that left leg still shows no signs of life the healthy look to is is contradictory. The physiotherapist is impressed with her energy which is unflagging - her mind is just as tough though and if she decides she isnt having any then that is that for the afternoon. The physiotherapist has suggested that Elisabeth use crutches or at least, try to do so. However, the answer to this idea is, at present, a flat No! but we continue the properganda.
Cheerio to you all for the present and love
Peter.
Hongkong
Dear Mum Dad and Alan,
Thank you for your letter and for your cheque which will be well spent in due course. Adrienne's birthday went off very well and she takes the Panda to bed every night. Her large tricycle is her pride and joy and indeed with its red paint looks very fine. Margo was going to buy her first party dress for some time, but could not find exactly what she wanted. So Adrienne got a bicycle and Margo as usual made the dress herself. It is in Thai silk and looks very well.
We went to a very large wedding on Saturday. A very bank affair which went on from the ceremony at 4 pm to sometime after 7 pm. It was the forerunner of several social events. We will be out tomorrow and the following night. As usual all together at one time.
We went to the City Hall Theatre for the first time last week to celebrate our 9th anniversary and saw "Iolanthe", very well done too in lovely surroundings. We happened to be three rows in front of the Duke and Duchess of Kent which added to our evening. We had seen them out and about previously in Hongkong.
It is colder here now. Down to 62 F on the way to bottom at about 50 F. An electric fire is necessary now in the evenings and shortly we will be having a wood and coal fire. I have now got another colour film in the camera and am waiting for the combination fo a sunny and not hazy day which sometimes occurs here so that the really fascinating views can be taken. Glad you were impressed with the ferry in my last photos. There are a lot of them you know. Not only a lot of ferries but a lot of ferry routes to different places on the island and mainland. At 20 cents a time this is good value. At the rush hours they come in and are off fully loaded in minutes. The constant stream of people coming in and out of the ferry station reminds one of the crowds at the rush hours at the tube stations. All shapes and sizes and colours. Then the trip across the harbour is always full of interest, junks, barges, destroyers, steamships, tankers, cargoe boats all flying every flag under the sun. 10 minutes then bump at the other side and off to the buses, taxies, trains & rickshaws which are never too many to carry the thousands on the move to their places of business.
There is more rebuilding than ever in Hongkong. I was having a look around today. It is impossible to describe. As soon as one skyscraper is up then the one next door is taken down. Pole driving commences and another is on its way up. Millions of dollars go into property daily with an expected return in the extraordinary short time of 5 to 6 years. Rents are very high indeed and one wonders if the bubble will burst. But people have been wondering just that for a long time. Whilst writing this I am also tape recording from the wireless. With net result that I have managed two pieces at different speeds! Most odd, but as it is not a reel for my own amusement it doesn't matter very much. I must do another one for the children and send home. They still enjoy playing about on it although Elisabeth goes very babyish and wont do much herself. You noticed Elisabeth looked thinner in her photos. She has lost a lot of baby fat but is a lot heavier and her legs have grown well. They are better covered than when in England. Although that left leg still shows no signs of life the healthy look to is is contradictory. The physiotherapist is impressed with her energy which is unflagging - her mind is just as tough though and if she decides she isnt having any then that is that for the afternoon. The physiotherapist has suggested that Elisabeth use crutches or at least, try to do so. However, the answer to this idea is, at present, a flat No! but we continue the properganda.
Cheerio to you all for the present and love
Peter.
15th Sept 63
The Hongkong and Shanghai BC
Hongkong
Dear Mum and Dad,
Many thanks for your letter. You will have seen that I have written to Alan. I forgot his birthday until two days too late. Will you get him something for me? I have told him also to let me know what he would like for a wedding present and expect you will have to pass this information on, as if he intend to get married next month than he will not have time to think about writing.
The Typhoon passed off with the strongest blow we have known yet but did not bring much rain unfortunately. Hurricanes are in the West Indies by the way. All the same of course but different names in different areas. "Ty-phoon" is Cantonese for "big wind" so I am told and when it produces 90 mph gusts in places here although 100 miles away, it is big enough. No offices were closed that I know of - but staff went home early so that those living on the mainland could get back on the ferry. I think one ferry kept going the whole time. Watching from the Bank windows it was having a rough time though crossing in the most sheltered spot in the harbour.
The swimming lessons have come to an end as the instructor had to go home. There was no ? - Adrienne was talked into it and did it in fullest confidence. She has since swum in the sea with me. Mostly with her head in the water. She goes like a torpedo in the first stage of the crawl leg stroke and stops when she has to breath. Caroline could swim in Jesselton so I did not mention her. She is better now but the important thing was the crawl, for which she has only the first stages (everything except breathing) and I do not know enough about to teach it. However, expect next season will be here soon enough to take care of that. Meanwhile, they have their dancing lessons and school starts tomorrow. Caroline is up in the higher section and will have homework. Adrienne is up too. Very pleased because a new 6 year old just arrived is in a lower form initially. Elisabeth's spots are bad circulation of course. But since the airconditioning and a diet all is well. She is a lot bigger and heavier. The bad leg which is still not working has a lot of good flesh on it. This is promising because if all the nerves had gone wastage would have set in. It is the same size as the other which is doing well.
Alan's home sounds great - I do not know the are but imagine it will be useful for his work. An October wedding means they are going to be pretty busy getting things to furnish etc. Let me have the address in due course and all details. I should not worry about the quiet wedding - if Janet's family are unable to attend there is little point in a large celebration, though I appreciate that you would enjoy one and in any case a wedding in church does give a little more point to proceedings. However, I have no doubt they know best. Yes Roger's house impressed us a lot - just the thing for us on leave too- but the snow bound winter does not appeal. I think a warmish bit of coast is the answer myself. Certainly anything in too easy reach of London seems to be a waste of money these days unless one is saving a lot on fares. However, unless we have a big win on a sweep it is not likely that we will be interested for a long time to come as school fees and paying off a house would be too much.
Cheerio for now and Best Wishes
Peter.
Hongkong
Dear Mum and Dad,
Many thanks for your letter. You will have seen that I have written to Alan. I forgot his birthday until two days too late. Will you get him something for me? I have told him also to let me know what he would like for a wedding present and expect you will have to pass this information on, as if he intend to get married next month than he will not have time to think about writing.
The Typhoon passed off with the strongest blow we have known yet but did not bring much rain unfortunately. Hurricanes are in the West Indies by the way. All the same of course but different names in different areas. "Ty-phoon" is Cantonese for "big wind" so I am told and when it produces 90 mph gusts in places here although 100 miles away, it is big enough. No offices were closed that I know of - but staff went home early so that those living on the mainland could get back on the ferry. I think one ferry kept going the whole time. Watching from the Bank windows it was having a rough time though crossing in the most sheltered spot in the harbour.
The swimming lessons have come to an end as the instructor had to go home. There was no ? - Adrienne was talked into it and did it in fullest confidence. She has since swum in the sea with me. Mostly with her head in the water. She goes like a torpedo in the first stage of the crawl leg stroke and stops when she has to breath. Caroline could swim in Jesselton so I did not mention her. She is better now but the important thing was the crawl, for which she has only the first stages (everything except breathing) and I do not know enough about to teach it. However, expect next season will be here soon enough to take care of that. Meanwhile, they have their dancing lessons and school starts tomorrow. Caroline is up in the higher section and will have homework. Adrienne is up too. Very pleased because a new 6 year old just arrived is in a lower form initially. Elisabeth's spots are bad circulation of course. But since the airconditioning and a diet all is well. She is a lot bigger and heavier. The bad leg which is still not working has a lot of good flesh on it. This is promising because if all the nerves had gone wastage would have set in. It is the same size as the other which is doing well.
Alan's home sounds great - I do not know the are but imagine it will be useful for his work. An October wedding means they are going to be pretty busy getting things to furnish etc. Let me have the address in due course and all details. I should not worry about the quiet wedding - if Janet's family are unable to attend there is little point in a large celebration, though I appreciate that you would enjoy one and in any case a wedding in church does give a little more point to proceedings. However, I have no doubt they know best. Yes Roger's house impressed us a lot - just the thing for us on leave too- but the snow bound winter does not appeal. I think a warmish bit of coast is the answer myself. Certainly anything in too easy reach of London seems to be a waste of money these days unless one is saving a lot on fares. However, unless we have a big win on a sweep it is not likely that we will be interested for a long time to come as school fees and paying off a house would be too much.
Cheerio for now and Best Wishes
Peter.
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
9th August 1963
The Hongkong Bank
Hong Kong
Dear Mum, Dad and Alan,
Thank you for your letter with all your news - I hope you have the photos. Elisabeth in her new walker was showing off that morning. Yes, thank you - the £3 will cover both presents. Margo purchased a very good leather frame which looks most attractive.
Congratulations! Alan, on your engagement and our Best Wishes to Janet also. I should write separately but at least this way I get something on paper. The girls will be thrilled to get another aunt as they only have one up to now. Can we have a photograph in due course please.
Our new reservoir will not increase the water supply as it must rain first to fill it up. We have 3 1/2 thousand million gallons at the moment and must reach 7,500,000,000 before the end of September - this is in addition to a minimum daily consumption of 40,000,000 gallons each day. Actually, the population will outstrip any new planned storage and they will have to convert seawater. Many means are under discussion but the cost is high and the talk around the subject will take several years before anything is done.
The girls are on holiday at the moment and all four went to the pictures to-day to see "Flipper". Margo said it was wonderful, the main actor being a real live dolphin, who, apart from everything else that it does, can laugh! Adrienne has the new bricks in her class and I hope it helps - also I hope the next schook use them, otherwise confusion is going to set in. Mt Charlotte were tipped by Acorn in July so they must be a good thing to hold on to.
I am looking through another set of the photos I sent, do you see Caroline's watch? It still goes and she can nearly tell the time. The Wendy house was purchased from someone going on leave and the jeep which is Elisabeth's was bought in a second hand market and is very strong. The place they are playing in is the verader to C & As bedroom, which is through the door on the left. Elisabeth's in the lounge which does not look to best advantage, as I have not focused for the background. The lounge is 3 times the area shown, with another verander to the right, where we sit overlooking the harbour. In the scene with Margo, the pram is held to prevent the pram blowing away - Signal No 3 was up!
The reservoir near us is 1/2 full and is in picturesque surroundings. What do you think of the dog - we were very lucky to have one so well behaved - he is no trouble at all and very playful.
Cheerio for now and love from us all,
Peter
Hong Kong
Dear Mum, Dad and Alan,
Thank you for your letter with all your news - I hope you have the photos. Elisabeth in her new walker was showing off that morning. Yes, thank you - the £3 will cover both presents. Margo purchased a very good leather frame which looks most attractive.
Congratulations! Alan, on your engagement and our Best Wishes to Janet also. I should write separately but at least this way I get something on paper. The girls will be thrilled to get another aunt as they only have one up to now. Can we have a photograph in due course please.
Our new reservoir will not increase the water supply as it must rain first to fill it up. We have 3 1/2 thousand million gallons at the moment and must reach 7,500,000,000 before the end of September - this is in addition to a minimum daily consumption of 40,000,000 gallons each day. Actually, the population will outstrip any new planned storage and they will have to convert seawater. Many means are under discussion but the cost is high and the talk around the subject will take several years before anything is done.
The girls are on holiday at the moment and all four went to the pictures to-day to see "Flipper". Margo said it was wonderful, the main actor being a real live dolphin, who, apart from everything else that it does, can laugh! Adrienne has the new bricks in her class and I hope it helps - also I hope the next schook use them, otherwise confusion is going to set in. Mt Charlotte were tipped by Acorn in July so they must be a good thing to hold on to.
I am looking through another set of the photos I sent, do you see Caroline's watch? It still goes and she can nearly tell the time. The Wendy house was purchased from someone going on leave and the jeep which is Elisabeth's was bought in a second hand market and is very strong. The place they are playing in is the verader to C & As bedroom, which is through the door on the left. Elisabeth's in the lounge which does not look to best advantage, as I have not focused for the background. The lounge is 3 times the area shown, with another verander to the right, where we sit overlooking the harbour. In the scene with Margo, the pram is held to prevent the pram blowing away - Signal No 3 was up!
The reservoir near us is 1/2 full and is in picturesque surroundings. What do you think of the dog - we were very lucky to have one so well behaved - he is no trouble at all and very playful.
Cheerio for now and love from us all,
Peter
2nd July 1963
The Hongkong and Shanghai Bank
Hong Kong
Dear Mum, Dad and Alan,
We are in heavy cloud again and have had a downpour today - 1 inch, but for all the cloud one would expect a lot more water. Typhoon TMX, which was coming straight at us veered off to meet the China coast 150 miles east of here. Storm warning No 3 went up for all day Sunday and precautions were taken. All vessels that could went into the typhoon shelter and the big fellows went to typhoon anchorages and got up steam. We shut all windows and hammered down the catches and got very hot and sticky. After all that it did not come and we did not get the 10 or so inches of rain a typhoon might have brought to us.
Margo has met another snake. Bringing a crowd of children back from school, there it was on the drive. 8 feet long and pretty thick, chasing birds. She did not wish to run over it because it might have run up into the car. Whilst she was thinking about it the snake ran off into a grating. It was not seen by anyone else and has not returned.
You do not mention how long you intend to spend in Ross but assume a week or so. Richard engaged is news and shall be interested to know details.
Alan has got the right idea although to go one better, why not take both girls along at the same time?
Having a film developed - it has been in the camera for ages so hope it comes out. It is black and white as I need the copies to send around.
This writing on wet paper with thick pen is not easy so will not try anymore.
Cheerio and Love,
Peter
Hong Kong
Dear Mum, Dad and Alan,
We are in heavy cloud again and have had a downpour today - 1 inch, but for all the cloud one would expect a lot more water. Typhoon TMX, which was coming straight at us veered off to meet the China coast 150 miles east of here. Storm warning No 3 went up for all day Sunday and precautions were taken. All vessels that could went into the typhoon shelter and the big fellows went to typhoon anchorages and got up steam. We shut all windows and hammered down the catches and got very hot and sticky. After all that it did not come and we did not get the 10 or so inches of rain a typhoon might have brought to us.
Margo has met another snake. Bringing a crowd of children back from school, there it was on the drive. 8 feet long and pretty thick, chasing birds. She did not wish to run over it because it might have run up into the car. Whilst she was thinking about it the snake ran off into a grating. It was not seen by anyone else and has not returned.
You do not mention how long you intend to spend in Ross but assume a week or so. Richard engaged is news and shall be interested to know details.
Alan has got the right idea although to go one better, why not take both girls along at the same time?
Having a film developed - it has been in the camera for ages so hope it comes out. It is black and white as I need the copies to send around.
This writing on wet paper with thick pen is not easy so will not try anymore.
Cheerio and Love,
Peter
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
27th June 1963
The Hongkong and Shanghai Bank
Hongkong
Dear Mum, Dad and Alan,
Thank you for your letter concerning Reg. I wrote to Maud by return post. As you say he has been ill for a very long time but one imagined he would go on for some time yet.
We are continuing to struggle with our water shortage - I can wash all over in 1/2 basin and we manage to last 4 days before water is turned on again. A little rain has fallen but we now need about 40 inches to catch up and provide a store for next winter and this amount is not expected.
Caroline's birthday was a great excitement and success. She had a watch, a bride doll, dresses, books etc and was very thrilled. Her party went well on the Monday following - she even had a Japanese girl as a guest.
We went on a launch picnic on Sunday as it was my turn for the Bank boat, the 'Wayfoong". Took two other couples and had fun at Rocky Harbour, the other side of Kai Tak (airport) - near Gin Druiker's Bay, past Junk Bay - if you have a map. It was very hot and we were a bit scortched but we all had fun.
Caroline is learning tables - is up to her 4 times. Remembering how you had to teach me much later on I have been encouraging her to say them at breakfast.
Have first scribbled this off quickly as the days are passing in wet fashion again and I know I will not just sit down at night. We shal be into the half year's work next month and we have been here for 8 months now - still no news of a change from this present job.
Love from us all
Peter xxx
xxx
Hongkong
Dear Mum, Dad and Alan,
Thank you for your letter concerning Reg. I wrote to Maud by return post. As you say he has been ill for a very long time but one imagined he would go on for some time yet.
We are continuing to struggle with our water shortage - I can wash all over in 1/2 basin and we manage to last 4 days before water is turned on again. A little rain has fallen but we now need about 40 inches to catch up and provide a store for next winter and this amount is not expected.
Caroline's birthday was a great excitement and success. She had a watch, a bride doll, dresses, books etc and was very thrilled. Her party went well on the Monday following - she even had a Japanese girl as a guest.
We went on a launch picnic on Sunday as it was my turn for the Bank boat, the 'Wayfoong". Took two other couples and had fun at Rocky Harbour, the other side of Kai Tak (airport) - near Gin Druiker's Bay, past Junk Bay - if you have a map. It was very hot and we were a bit scortched but we all had fun.
Caroline is learning tables - is up to her 4 times. Remembering how you had to teach me much later on I have been encouraging her to say them at breakfast.
Have first scribbled this off quickly as the days are passing in wet fashion again and I know I will not just sit down at night. We shal be into the half year's work next month and we have been here for 8 months now - still no news of a change from this present job.
Love from us all
Peter xxx
xxx
12th June 1963
The Hongkong & Shanghai Bank
Hongkong
Dear Mum, Dad and Alan,
Thank you for your letter. We are all fit as far as colds go but Margo has had a bad back. After a complete check and X-ray it has, in effect, been put down to old age, which is not very complimentary. However, she is to have some massage and heat treatment which we hope will ease matters. Saw Merchant Venturer came second in the Derby. I fancied it by name but did nothing. It is still hot and sticky here with still no rain. I am comfortable in the office with very efficient airconditioning and find the difference rather overpowering when coming home. Am at present inspecting one of the Hongkong Office departments, which is a change and provides lots of interest. The department is run by eight officers and up to a hundred clerks, handling imports, so you can imagine that it is fairly complex.
We now have the walker which is a success. Also a Wendy House bought from someone going on leave. Big enough for two children to go into. And a pedigree spaniel Shan, who came from downstairs, also on leave. So we are now six plus three servants, one child, one kitten and one dog. (The wash amah is also expecting a baby). So it is lucky that the flat is big.
Thank you for Caroline's present -we have something in mind. A garden of flowers and things which can be rearranged in plastic. Will let you know the cost eventually. Talking about inspections, I was all set for Manila and Iloilo. Had my visa and ticket. But it was cancelled a the last moment. It would have been an eventful two weeks as I know a few people in both places.
My latest craze is snorkel and flippers. Spend hours watching crabs and fish. The flippers are very powerful and can go quite fast with one child on my back.
Hope the ink has not smudged too much this paper is damp.
Love from us all
Peter
Hongkong
Dear Mum, Dad and Alan,
Thank you for your letter. We are all fit as far as colds go but Margo has had a bad back. After a complete check and X-ray it has, in effect, been put down to old age, which is not very complimentary. However, she is to have some massage and heat treatment which we hope will ease matters. Saw Merchant Venturer came second in the Derby. I fancied it by name but did nothing. It is still hot and sticky here with still no rain. I am comfortable in the office with very efficient airconditioning and find the difference rather overpowering when coming home. Am at present inspecting one of the Hongkong Office departments, which is a change and provides lots of interest. The department is run by eight officers and up to a hundred clerks, handling imports, so you can imagine that it is fairly complex.
We now have the walker which is a success. Also a Wendy House bought from someone going on leave. Big enough for two children to go into. And a pedigree spaniel Shan, who came from downstairs, also on leave. So we are now six plus three servants, one child, one kitten and one dog. (The wash amah is also expecting a baby). So it is lucky that the flat is big.
Thank you for Caroline's present -we have something in mind. A garden of flowers and things which can be rearranged in plastic. Will let you know the cost eventually. Talking about inspections, I was all set for Manila and Iloilo. Had my visa and ticket. But it was cancelled a the last moment. It would have been an eventful two weeks as I know a few people in both places.
My latest craze is snorkel and flippers. Spend hours watching crabs and fish. The flippers are very powerful and can go quite fast with one child on my back.
Hope the ink has not smudged too much this paper is damp.
Love from us all
Peter
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