The Hongkong and Shanghai Bank
Central PO Box 227
Osaka Japan
Dear Mum, Dad and Alan,
I have not written for some time because events have kept me busy and Margo wrote instead last week. I was confirmed Accountant at the beginning of the month - a month early I though. A week later came the news that Guy Sayer was to take over Mongkok from Martin Curren and I was to stand in as Acting Manager until next March, when the new manager, whoever he may be, should arrive. It has meant changing the foreign staff around so that they are all to learn new jobs and a new man has also arrived to do Inward Bills. I will have a good man to do the routine on my desk until November when he goes on leave, but for the rest they are probably a little more interested in social activities than work and it remains to be seen if things will go smoothly or not. Although the appointment is "Actin" it is made by the Board and means I have been given an unexpected opportunity. Very pleasing and I am keeping my fingers crossed - you might do the same for me!
Our weather has remained wet and the great summer heat has not come yet although it is pretty warm. We all drove up into the Rokko range today and took a picnic. There was the usual large number of photographers at a farm we visited and they used the girls as models - the girls loved it and we could hardly get them away. Almost last Susan who had slipped out of the car again just before I was about to drive off. With 100 million people in Japan and only a few living areas of which the Osaka plain contains the second largest part of them, one does not get away from people easily. They are teaming over the hills in funny hats, woollen stockings Everest type climbing boots and clumsy 40lb packs (the girls are often in high heels) and carrying transistor radios. So driving is tedious as they will walk in the middle of the road and buses and cars clog the rest of the space.
The Sayers will leave about 17th August and tomorrow there other girl and boy arrive on holiday form school in England. The Helblings left Kobe for Penang yesterday and we had a party there last week. Paterson the Tokyo manager came down for it and we went out with him for lunch and again for dinner the following night. Then last night we gave a dinner for Uttley the new arrival - it was a clear evening and we were able to sit outside with a cool breeze and look at the view. But it seems that with the dryer weather activities are sparking up and once it becomes known I have taken over I expect we will be even more included in the official circuit.
Cheerio for now and all my love & from the girls
xxx
xxx
Peter
Sunday, January 17, 2016
July 8th 1965
10-1 Rohurohiso-cho
Ashiya City
Nr Kobe
My dear Mum & Dad,
Very many thanks for your birthday card & for sending the stockings. I shall be very glad to have them when the cold weather starts - Japan is designed for small people and they make nothing in the clothes line to fit me. Shoes stop at size 6 - stockings size 9 so I am completely at a disadvantage!
We have had a lot of rain but I believe the rainy season finishes next week-end & then we are told to expect some very hot weather. The children are on holiday for three months! Unfortunately the weather hasn't been good enough for much swimming but they have managed about 1/2 dozen swims. Elisabeth is still going to kindergarten as her holidays start at the end of this month. A dutch friend mentioned Elisabeth to the Japanese teacher at the school very near to our house and she offered to take E. The kindergarten is a Japanese one but they do sing a few English songs & learn the A.B. C. It does give Elisabeth a chance to mix with children & gives her an interest. Anyway she is very keen to go every morning & takes her bicycle with her so that she can get around during playtime.
The garden is flourishing with all the damp humid weather & I can't pick the vegetables quick enough. We are growing runner beans, cucumbers, sweet corn, radishes, lettuce, carrots and egg plant (aubergines). The peas & broad beans are finished. Our roses are blooming for the second times & the gardenias are out - we have also had peaches from our tree but most of them will be ready in another week.
The girls came home with a kitten a few weeks ago so we have another member of the family with a very ordinary name "Kitty". Last Saturday Susan arrived home with another clasped in her arms but I had to be firm & insisted she took it back to the park where she found it.
Peter has been confirmed as an Accountant which is very pleasing especially as it came through 6 weeks earlier than we expected! On top of the there is a big change around in the office - Guy Sayer has been told that he is needed urgently in Hongkong Peter is to act as manager until next January when the new manager arrives. It isn't definite yet - anything can happen & I expect Peter will write & give you full details!
At home we are having domestic trouble again - I'm really beyond caring whether the maids come or go as you never get the real reason for their leaving. The woman who came 3/4 days a week to clean has been away for 6 weeks but was supposed to return on Monday. She arrived - stayed 5 mins & then walked out saying that she couldn't work as it was too far to come! (We were paying her bus fare). I pointed out that as she was already at the house she might as well work that day - this evidently hadn't occurred to her & to my surprise she work for that day! If I didn't need someone to live in and be here to baby-sit I wouldn't bother with all these ups & downs.
I have just made Adrienne a new dress & want to cut one out for Caroline today. Adrienne is very hard on her clothes - the first day she wore her summer uniform she arrived home with the shirt hanging down and a piece missing from the waist-band "Someone pulled it"!!
It is nearly time for me to fetch Elisabeth - we are without a car for 3 days so I have to push her up the hill in the pram.
Hope you are both well
Love from us all
Margo Peter & the girls
P.S. Caroline was very pleased with her books - she is supposed to be writing to you but has finished her lined paper!
Ashiya City
Nr Kobe
My dear Mum & Dad,
Very many thanks for your birthday card & for sending the stockings. I shall be very glad to have them when the cold weather starts - Japan is designed for small people and they make nothing in the clothes line to fit me. Shoes stop at size 6 - stockings size 9 so I am completely at a disadvantage!
We have had a lot of rain but I believe the rainy season finishes next week-end & then we are told to expect some very hot weather. The children are on holiday for three months! Unfortunately the weather hasn't been good enough for much swimming but they have managed about 1/2 dozen swims. Elisabeth is still going to kindergarten as her holidays start at the end of this month. A dutch friend mentioned Elisabeth to the Japanese teacher at the school very near to our house and she offered to take E. The kindergarten is a Japanese one but they do sing a few English songs & learn the A.B. C. It does give Elisabeth a chance to mix with children & gives her an interest. Anyway she is very keen to go every morning & takes her bicycle with her so that she can get around during playtime.
The garden is flourishing with all the damp humid weather & I can't pick the vegetables quick enough. We are growing runner beans, cucumbers, sweet corn, radishes, lettuce, carrots and egg plant (aubergines). The peas & broad beans are finished. Our roses are blooming for the second times & the gardenias are out - we have also had peaches from our tree but most of them will be ready in another week.
The girls came home with a kitten a few weeks ago so we have another member of the family with a very ordinary name "Kitty". Last Saturday Susan arrived home with another clasped in her arms but I had to be firm & insisted she took it back to the park where she found it.
Peter has been confirmed as an Accountant which is very pleasing especially as it came through 6 weeks earlier than we expected! On top of the there is a big change around in the office - Guy Sayer has been told that he is needed urgently in Hongkong Peter is to act as manager until next January when the new manager arrives. It isn't definite yet - anything can happen & I expect Peter will write & give you full details!
At home we are having domestic trouble again - I'm really beyond caring whether the maids come or go as you never get the real reason for their leaving. The woman who came 3/4 days a week to clean has been away for 6 weeks but was supposed to return on Monday. She arrived - stayed 5 mins & then walked out saying that she couldn't work as it was too far to come! (We were paying her bus fare). I pointed out that as she was already at the house she might as well work that day - this evidently hadn't occurred to her & to my surprise she work for that day! If I didn't need someone to live in and be here to baby-sit I wouldn't bother with all these ups & downs.
I have just made Adrienne a new dress & want to cut one out for Caroline today. Adrienne is very hard on her clothes - the first day she wore her summer uniform she arrived home with the shirt hanging down and a piece missing from the waist-band "Someone pulled it"!!
It is nearly time for me to fetch Elisabeth - we are without a car for 3 days so I have to push her up the hill in the pram.
Hope you are both well
Love from us all
Margo Peter & the girls
P.S. Caroline was very pleased with her books - she is supposed to be writing to you but has finished her lined paper!
23rd May 1965
The Hongkong and Shanghai Bank
Central PO BOx 227
Osaka,
Japan
Dear Mum, Dad and Alan,
We have had a very sunny weekend and with a Saturday morning off we took the opportunity of visitin Kyoto after having lunch on the top of hills overlooking the town and the southern tip of Lake Biwa. The lake is a freshwater inland one, very extensive, as we only saw the southern tip and it must be possible to take boat trips on it later in the year. There were lots of sailing and motor boats about, but the place was not as crowded as it obviously can be in the season. We later went up Mount Hei, about 3000 ft and then crossed a valley to the next highest point where a large revolving observation tower gave us views over the lake one way and back over mountain ranges the othere. Down into Kyoto after this to see another temple, a lot more impressive than the last lot we looked at in the snow and afterwards to a famous silk factory. Here they were demonstrating on machines brought in from Lyon 80 years ago. They produce the raw silk there and complete all the processes to the finished article. The gardens attached to the building contained a large pond full of enormous carp and goldfish. some nearly a yard long and very fat. Nearby they had a pottery kiln where visitors paint there own plates and fire them. We were without children and just looking about for places of interest for them for the holidays. They are to have 3 months.
I have been taking Adrienne in writing which has affected my own horribly as I am thinking of her lettering all the time. Caroline is having to catch up on her arithmetic and Susan her reading. The school's solution to lack of progress is to put them back rather than to make them do it, so we are taking a hand and they are soon picking it up.
I have had confirmation from London that I am not subject to gift tax nor capital gains tax so all is well there. Although with the present state of the market there is little risk of having a gain. Even banks are very much down, but this is due to a fall in trade in Hong Kong. Japan is having a series of bankruptcies just now. Companies here have been making losses but producing accounts showing profits, on which they pay taxes and dividends! Then bust they go, taking many other firms in the trade with them. The latest is a leading securities firm with a minus figure of Y 1700 000 000 000 - if I have got the noughts right. Y 1000 = £1. This is to be supported by the govt. through 10 banks and will continue to trade.
By the way I should have got that book on balance sheets so tell Alan not to bother and I will order from here. I have done a lot without it, but I need something to refer to. One customer presented me with a Japanese doll, the kind in a glass case dressed in silk kimono, to compensate for the struggle I had with his figures, but it may have been my own lack of knowledge in not being able to sort them out. All presentations are different and it may be that they use an American system. Also translation from Japanese will add to the distortion in the names of accounts. However, it will all add up in the end.
Heres wishing you Many Happy Returns of the Day Mum and I hope you have a sunny day.
Cheerio for now and Love,
Peter.
Central PO BOx 227
Osaka,
Japan
Dear Mum, Dad and Alan,
We have had a very sunny weekend and with a Saturday morning off we took the opportunity of visitin Kyoto after having lunch on the top of hills overlooking the town and the southern tip of Lake Biwa. The lake is a freshwater inland one, very extensive, as we only saw the southern tip and it must be possible to take boat trips on it later in the year. There were lots of sailing and motor boats about, but the place was not as crowded as it obviously can be in the season. We later went up Mount Hei, about 3000 ft and then crossed a valley to the next highest point where a large revolving observation tower gave us views over the lake one way and back over mountain ranges the othere. Down into Kyoto after this to see another temple, a lot more impressive than the last lot we looked at in the snow and afterwards to a famous silk factory. Here they were demonstrating on machines brought in from Lyon 80 years ago. They produce the raw silk there and complete all the processes to the finished article. The gardens attached to the building contained a large pond full of enormous carp and goldfish. some nearly a yard long and very fat. Nearby they had a pottery kiln where visitors paint there own plates and fire them. We were without children and just looking about for places of interest for them for the holidays. They are to have 3 months.
I have been taking Adrienne in writing which has affected my own horribly as I am thinking of her lettering all the time. Caroline is having to catch up on her arithmetic and Susan her reading. The school's solution to lack of progress is to put them back rather than to make them do it, so we are taking a hand and they are soon picking it up.
I have had confirmation from London that I am not subject to gift tax nor capital gains tax so all is well there. Although with the present state of the market there is little risk of having a gain. Even banks are very much down, but this is due to a fall in trade in Hong Kong. Japan is having a series of bankruptcies just now. Companies here have been making losses but producing accounts showing profits, on which they pay taxes and dividends! Then bust they go, taking many other firms in the trade with them. The latest is a leading securities firm with a minus figure of Y 1700 000 000 000 - if I have got the noughts right. Y 1000 = £1. This is to be supported by the govt. through 10 banks and will continue to trade.
By the way I should have got that book on balance sheets so tell Alan not to bother and I will order from here. I have done a lot without it, but I need something to refer to. One customer presented me with a Japanese doll, the kind in a glass case dressed in silk kimono, to compensate for the struggle I had with his figures, but it may have been my own lack of knowledge in not being able to sort them out. All presentations are different and it may be that they use an American system. Also translation from Japanese will add to the distortion in the names of accounts. However, it will all add up in the end.
Heres wishing you Many Happy Returns of the Day Mum and I hope you have a sunny day.
Cheerio for now and Love,
Peter.
4th May 1965
The Hongkong and Shanghai Bank
Central PO Box 227
Osaka
Japan
Dear Mum, Dad and Alan,
Well that is some birthday gift! Thanks very much. I have not taken it in yet as it was so unexpected, but have written to my Income Tax department for their views on the tax situation. I do not suppose they will be very pleased with such a spot query as no doubt they are burning the midnight oil thumbing through the Finance Bill. I do not suppose I am liable for tax as I do not see how they could collect it, but we will see. For the moment I imagine the money will go towards the house we hope to be able to buy on the next leave as I hear the bank has reinstated loans for houses once more.
The football pools came up with another 7/- which I reinvested for next week's Australian matches. I shall begin to think I am due for a big win soon! Did Alan enjoy his Paris trip? I suppose none of his machines come to Japan? I cannot see Ian running a pub & working in the City. Running a pub can be real hard work, I wonder if they fully appreciate what it all entails?
The pictures of the reception were OK, I think I am in that main one bending dow. I can't remember the Indian's name for the
(rest of letter is missing)
Central PO Box 227
Osaka
Japan
Dear Mum, Dad and Alan,
Well that is some birthday gift! Thanks very much. I have not taken it in yet as it was so unexpected, but have written to my Income Tax department for their views on the tax situation. I do not suppose they will be very pleased with such a spot query as no doubt they are burning the midnight oil thumbing through the Finance Bill. I do not suppose I am liable for tax as I do not see how they could collect it, but we will see. For the moment I imagine the money will go towards the house we hope to be able to buy on the next leave as I hear the bank has reinstated loans for houses once more.
The football pools came up with another 7/- which I reinvested for next week's Australian matches. I shall begin to think I am due for a big win soon! Did Alan enjoy his Paris trip? I suppose none of his machines come to Japan? I cannot see Ian running a pub & working in the City. Running a pub can be real hard work, I wonder if they fully appreciate what it all entails?
The pictures of the reception were OK, I think I am in that main one bending dow. I can't remember the Indian's name for the
(rest of letter is missing)
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