5th August 67

The Hongkong and Shanghai Bank
Kowloon
5th August 67

Dear Mum Dad and Alan,

Letters from the family give news of a smooth and uneventful voyage so far.  The next will be from Bombay and must have been delayed.  Have been reading about borrowing for houses recently although I do not have a problem because of the bank scheme.  It appears the best thing is to use an insurance broker who then recommends a company giving the best return on a with profits policy & against this on also has a mortgage.  Presumably there is a tax saving on the insurance premium as well as the loan interest with the profits on the policy assisting towards repayment.  The Telegraph also ran an article on the Govt scheme for opting for a lower rate of interest, but they warned it ws a once for all option.  It would be possible if one's income rose considerably in the future to loose overall because of the change in value of set off for tax benefits.  However, it is a big subject today and no doubt Alan will go into it and his bank would give him the name of a broker with reputation.  HongKong is still quiet with the police carrying out large scale raids on various buildings and collecting up the undesirables.  China is having a lot of trouble just now and their army are keeping the mobs on the boarder in order for us.

Theorys as to why they have not turned on the water for additional supply over the contracted amount used are various.  One says the pump station has been damaged in China or it has just broken down.  Another suggest the official concerned cannot guess whether or not it would be correct to turn it on and because things are so mixed up he does not know who to ask.  Anyway we are managing quite well and have had a little more rain.  Two typhoons have missed us and left the weather rather soggy. It has been a hot summer.  It is Dad's birthday this month and I wonder if there is anything he would like just now.  A sports shirt or something of the kind.  I cannot guess from here and would be glad if you would fix it for me.

Cheerio for now and love

Peter.