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!
Sunday, January 17, 2016
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)
Sunday, November 2, 2014
25th April 65
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.
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.
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
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