HSBC
Kowloon
27th Feb 1967
Dear Mum, Dad and Alan,
Thank you for your letter - it has just missed mine again so will catch up. Not to worry about the family as Margo is sure they will fit in for the month until three go to school. The plan at present is:-
13th Aug Arrive London - Hotel
14th Aug School shopping You visit hotel for early dinner. Collect Adrienne if she can stay with you for a week or so.
15th Aug Susan to Aunt Grace. Margo C & E to Dover.
18th Aug Take delivery of car.
and after that it will be easy to arrange.
Margo is bound to find a house by the time I come home so all will be well.
We will look after Susan and Elisabeth's birthday - many thanks.
My first day back today and a bit of a scramble.
It isn't possible to decide if the clothes you suggest are suitable so best leave it for now. Elisabeth is an odd shape just now being quite tubby and of course there is a lot available her.
Susan has just about recovered from chicken-po and is as bright as ever.
Caroline came 5th in a group of 34 (from all the schools) same age and same poem & gets her certificate. Top marks were 86 and she got 81. Most of the other children had entered each year and knew what is was all about, so she was very pleased. The same day at school Caroline had 24/24 correct fraction sums - she brought the paper home and they were not easy ones. Her figures are very neat and would put many of my staff to shame.
Not to be outdone, Adrienne had 6 stars for two day's work.
It is very gratifying to have children who do well in spite of their disrupted schooling although this may have helped them in the long run by making them adaptable. Long may it continue.
Cheerio for now and all our love
Peter
Sunday, September 3, 2017
24th Feb 67
Hongkong Bank
Kowloon
24th Feb 67
Dear Mum, Dad and Alan,
My week's holiday is nearly over but I have enjoyed it a lot. It is not the best time of the year to choose but the weather has been kind to us. We are just back from two days in Macau, the Portuguese settlement "round the corner". We have a hydrofoil service which does the trip in one hour. These boats are rather like aircraft from the inside. Similar type of seating and airconditioning. Very similar to taking off in a plane, when once out of the harbour area, they move up onto their "stilts" and and proceed at 40 - 50 miles per hour. I enclose a pamphlet which shows one of these boats in action and also our hotel. We had the honeymoon suite! Compared to HongKong Macau is a very poor relation, run down and shabby but very quiet with everything moving at a slow pace. We saw everything we wanted to in a couple of hours and then moved into the main Casino. This is very modern and fortunes are lost at a very quick pace by the HongKong Tai Paus who although dressed like peasants shed 1000 of dollars in seconds. We found the roulette the most fascinating as we could bet the smallest of stakes and go on for a long time enjoying it all. As I won again at the races last week the whole holiday was free. I had $5 accumalating on 3 winners and a combined lot & 2nd. Hope this does not give the impression we are becoming big gamblers. In fact the small amount I bet is a cause of some amusement plus the fact I dont know one horse from another.
Macau is at the mouth of the Pearl River and junks stream backwards and forwards carrying goods to and from HongKong and Macau and Canton. Try and get the book TAI PAN from the library. It is a novel & fiction but with a strong basis of fact. The dates places and background are very authentic and for anyone who has seen HongKong as it is today can only wonder at the numerous achievements wrought by the foreign traders in little over 100 years. Now that we live in airconditioning and refrigerators, cars and operate some of the most modern factories in the world with the aircraft and shipping that moves non stop in and out it is not easy to understand how they managed to live from one day to the next when people came out in the early 1800s.
Caroline has gone off today to the City Hall to perform in the annual school concert. Her entry is Poetry and she has to stand up in front of a lot of people - judges from the UK etc. We are more nervous than she is and Im glad I do not have to be there. She was selected for the entry so I imagine she has a chance, although she will be up against children who have had particular training. We have only recently sent them to dramatic classes and so do not expect too much.
The have all done well since returning to HK and although I regretted leaving Japan for myself it is obvious now it was a good move for the family. Elisabeth is now much stronger and can writed in a straight line without dropping down the page. Could I spell "February" at 6? They all spell better than I ever did. Adrienne now gets stars for her handwriting and a short while ago she was the messiest child imaginable. Susan is home with chicken pox and is as lively as usual writing and reading and doing her sums to amuse herself.
I enclose one or two snaps. The black & white are not special ones as I took the children for passport photos. However, I am pleased with the two colour shots which have come out well and you might like to frame them as I have.
Cheerio for now and all our love
Peter
Kowloon
24th Feb 67
Dear Mum, Dad and Alan,
My week's holiday is nearly over but I have enjoyed it a lot. It is not the best time of the year to choose but the weather has been kind to us. We are just back from two days in Macau, the Portuguese settlement "round the corner". We have a hydrofoil service which does the trip in one hour. These boats are rather like aircraft from the inside. Similar type of seating and airconditioning. Very similar to taking off in a plane, when once out of the harbour area, they move up onto their "stilts" and and proceed at 40 - 50 miles per hour. I enclose a pamphlet which shows one of these boats in action and also our hotel. We had the honeymoon suite! Compared to HongKong Macau is a very poor relation, run down and shabby but very quiet with everything moving at a slow pace. We saw everything we wanted to in a couple of hours and then moved into the main Casino. This is very modern and fortunes are lost at a very quick pace by the HongKong Tai Paus who although dressed like peasants shed 1000 of dollars in seconds. We found the roulette the most fascinating as we could bet the smallest of stakes and go on for a long time enjoying it all. As I won again at the races last week the whole holiday was free. I had $5 accumalating on 3 winners and a combined lot & 2nd. Hope this does not give the impression we are becoming big gamblers. In fact the small amount I bet is a cause of some amusement plus the fact I dont know one horse from another.
Macau is at the mouth of the Pearl River and junks stream backwards and forwards carrying goods to and from HongKong and Macau and Canton. Try and get the book TAI PAN from the library. It is a novel & fiction but with a strong basis of fact. The dates places and background are very authentic and for anyone who has seen HongKong as it is today can only wonder at the numerous achievements wrought by the foreign traders in little over 100 years. Now that we live in airconditioning and refrigerators, cars and operate some of the most modern factories in the world with the aircraft and shipping that moves non stop in and out it is not easy to understand how they managed to live from one day to the next when people came out in the early 1800s.
Caroline has gone off today to the City Hall to perform in the annual school concert. Her entry is Poetry and she has to stand up in front of a lot of people - judges from the UK etc. We are more nervous than she is and Im glad I do not have to be there. She was selected for the entry so I imagine she has a chance, although she will be up against children who have had particular training. We have only recently sent them to dramatic classes and so do not expect too much.
The have all done well since returning to HK and although I regretted leaving Japan for myself it is obvious now it was a good move for the family. Elisabeth is now much stronger and can writed in a straight line without dropping down the page. Could I spell "February" at 6? They all spell better than I ever did. Adrienne now gets stars for her handwriting and a short while ago she was the messiest child imaginable. Susan is home with chicken pox and is as lively as usual writing and reading and doing her sums to amuse herself.
I enclose one or two snaps. The black & white are not special ones as I took the children for passport photos. However, I am pleased with the two colour shots which have come out well and you might like to frame them as I have.
Cheerio for now and all our love
Peter
5th Feb 67
H. S. B. C
Kowloon
5th Feb 67
Dear Mum, Dad and Alan,
Well the end of the year is over and the masses of paper work have been completed once again. We have just come back from a glorious day in the sun. It was very cold in the week but to-day the sky is clear and in the shelter of the hills it was just right. Last Saturday was a lucky day at the races as by the 3rd race I was $15 down when a quinella bet - a forecast of the lot & 2nd hourse came up and paid $540. Very exciting as the 2nd horse crossed very badly towards the end and I was expecting an objection, but all was well. Then in the 5th race it came up again for $230. We haven't had anything like that before and you can imagine the thrill of it all. The tote ticket for these bets is $10 so they were unusual odds and I do not expect to do it again. We have treated ourselves to a radiogram on the proceeds.
Margo and the girls are now booked on a very good ship to leave in July and will be home by mid August to get ready for school. This brings thoughts of leave much closer as preparations will commence soon for passports and packing.
I expect to take a week off at the end of this month - as we have not had a holiday this tour - and hope to get out into the countryside. We may have a couple of days in Macau as I have not been there and all the problems with the Red Guards appear to have been settled. If the weather is right it should be a pleasant break.
I have not heard about the tie for Henry's Club - which one was it in Calcutta?
The share market is showing faint signs of recovery in London and no doubt you saw mention of the bank's record profits. Lets hope 1967 brings a full recovery.
This is pretty much of a scribble as usual but I have not written for some time and must get this off.
The girls are well and have now started "dramatics" - Caroline speaks out quite well.
Cheerio for now and love from us all
Peter
Kowloon
5th Feb 67
Dear Mum, Dad and Alan,
Well the end of the year is over and the masses of paper work have been completed once again. We have just come back from a glorious day in the sun. It was very cold in the week but to-day the sky is clear and in the shelter of the hills it was just right. Last Saturday was a lucky day at the races as by the 3rd race I was $15 down when a quinella bet - a forecast of the lot & 2nd hourse came up and paid $540. Very exciting as the 2nd horse crossed very badly towards the end and I was expecting an objection, but all was well. Then in the 5th race it came up again for $230. We haven't had anything like that before and you can imagine the thrill of it all. The tote ticket for these bets is $10 so they were unusual odds and I do not expect to do it again. We have treated ourselves to a radiogram on the proceeds.
Margo and the girls are now booked on a very good ship to leave in July and will be home by mid August to get ready for school. This brings thoughts of leave much closer as preparations will commence soon for passports and packing.
I expect to take a week off at the end of this month - as we have not had a holiday this tour - and hope to get out into the countryside. We may have a couple of days in Macau as I have not been there and all the problems with the Red Guards appear to have been settled. If the weather is right it should be a pleasant break.
I have not heard about the tie for Henry's Club - which one was it in Calcutta?
The share market is showing faint signs of recovery in London and no doubt you saw mention of the bank's record profits. Lets hope 1967 brings a full recovery.
This is pretty much of a scribble as usual but I have not written for some time and must get this off.
The girls are well and have now started "dramatics" - Caroline speaks out quite well.
Cheerio for now and love from us all
Peter
January 14th 67
10A Tak Shing Terrace
1 Cox's Rd
Kowloon
January 14th 66 (I think mum meant 67)
My dear Mum & Dad,
Thank you very much for the very nice half slip - I have delayed writing because I was waiting for the enclosed photos. You will see that Elisabeth is growing very big & now weighs 40 lbs.
Elisabeth and I spent last night in hospital so that she could have her plaster replaced early this morning. However when the old plaster was removed the Surgeon found that it had rubbed two bad sores on her foot so much to E's pleasure she is home without another plaster. It means that she can have a bath! - the first for 6 weeks!
Adrienne is going to a tea party this afternoon & Susan is going to a birthday party - both - opposite directions. It's a good job we have the car! I think I shall be able to qualify as a taxi driver.
Your weather sounds very cold & unpleasant - we are have cold weather for Hongkong, down int he 40's. We are well wrapped up in our winter woollies but I must say that I feel so much more fitter in the cold weather. It's a joy to be able to have a good brisk walk.
We are sorry Mrs Hall isn't coming as we could have shown her the beauty of HK. She must be used to travelling on the "Queens" as the Cathay (or was it the "Chitral"?) are both good sized ships. They are the two which make the regular P&O run to HK.
Kowloon is the only flat area in the whole of Hongkong - everywhere else is hilly & rocky and even Kowloon has its hilly spots. I am quite used to pushing the wheelchair up steep paths!
Caroline is out with her friend Pat who lives downstairs. Adrienne is in with Bonny who also lives in Tak Shing & Elisabeth & Susan are playing gramophone records.
Carolines note was written soon after Xmas but I forgot to give it to Peter to post. She was using a new fountain pen but it has very fine nib & isn't suitable for her. I shall have to get one with a broader nib. The girls enjoyed the pantomine very much & so did Peter & I. It was very well produced for an amateur show - there is obviously plenty of talent in HK.
It is nearly lunch time so love from us all
Margo, Peter & the girls
1 Cox's Rd
Kowloon
January 14th 66 (I think mum meant 67)
My dear Mum & Dad,
Thank you very much for the very nice half slip - I have delayed writing because I was waiting for the enclosed photos. You will see that Elisabeth is growing very big & now weighs 40 lbs.
Elisabeth and I spent last night in hospital so that she could have her plaster replaced early this morning. However when the old plaster was removed the Surgeon found that it had rubbed two bad sores on her foot so much to E's pleasure she is home without another plaster. It means that she can have a bath! - the first for 6 weeks!
Adrienne is going to a tea party this afternoon & Susan is going to a birthday party - both - opposite directions. It's a good job we have the car! I think I shall be able to qualify as a taxi driver.
Your weather sounds very cold & unpleasant - we are have cold weather for Hongkong, down int he 40's. We are well wrapped up in our winter woollies but I must say that I feel so much more fitter in the cold weather. It's a joy to be able to have a good brisk walk.
We are sorry Mrs Hall isn't coming as we could have shown her the beauty of HK. She must be used to travelling on the "Queens" as the Cathay (or was it the "Chitral"?) are both good sized ships. They are the two which make the regular P&O run to HK.
Kowloon is the only flat area in the whole of Hongkong - everywhere else is hilly & rocky and even Kowloon has its hilly spots. I am quite used to pushing the wheelchair up steep paths!
Caroline is out with her friend Pat who lives downstairs. Adrienne is in with Bonny who also lives in Tak Shing & Elisabeth & Susan are playing gramophone records.
Carolines note was written soon after Xmas but I forgot to give it to Peter to post. She was using a new fountain pen but it has very fine nib & isn't suitable for her. I shall have to get one with a broader nib. The girls enjoyed the pantomine very much & so did Peter & I. It was very well produced for an amateur show - there is obviously plenty of talent in HK.
It is nearly lunch time so love from us all
Margo, Peter & the girls
27.12.66
The Hongkong and Shanghai Bank
Kowloon
Dear Mum Dad and Alan,
Thank you for your letter and for all the presents. I like my ties, they are very usefull and always look good. Margo was very pleased with her slip. The long holiday over Christmas has been most enjoyable. The weather has turned cold and seasonable and Christmas lunch with the children and friends was good fun. They all had masses of presents which appear to have justified the days of anticipation. They caught up with their sleep last night and slept in late this morning.
I note Alan is travelling now. Does he expect to do a lot of this now? Have they sold any machines in the east yet?
I have found a packet of photos which I should have sent to you and will post them off. I bought Margo a Kodak which is easy to operate and perhaps we will have some more available soon.
The fancy dress party was good fun, so many different get ups and a very large crowd. Went out to Potts house yesterday, he is a share broker and an old time resident here. In fact we have been meeting a number of people with long connections with HongKong and China and they are of great interest with their tales of pre war days and events since then.
Families have since intermarried and the other night someone was telling me of some of the connections which I had not guessed at, although I knew the people concerned individually.
This is one of the advantages of living over here in Kowloon - there is a much beeter contact with the people outside the bank.
Elisabeth has had another leg manipulation and plaster fitted for a few weeks. It does not seem to bother her and she has been as lively as ever. Her school report was encouraging and her reading is advancing without any worries now.
Cheerio for now and love from us all
Peter
xxx
xxx
Kowloon
Dear Mum Dad and Alan,
Thank you for your letter and for all the presents. I like my ties, they are very usefull and always look good. Margo was very pleased with her slip. The long holiday over Christmas has been most enjoyable. The weather has turned cold and seasonable and Christmas lunch with the children and friends was good fun. They all had masses of presents which appear to have justified the days of anticipation. They caught up with their sleep last night and slept in late this morning.
I note Alan is travelling now. Does he expect to do a lot of this now? Have they sold any machines in the east yet?
I have found a packet of photos which I should have sent to you and will post them off. I bought Margo a Kodak which is easy to operate and perhaps we will have some more available soon.
The fancy dress party was good fun, so many different get ups and a very large crowd. Went out to Potts house yesterday, he is a share broker and an old time resident here. In fact we have been meeting a number of people with long connections with HongKong and China and they are of great interest with their tales of pre war days and events since then.
Families have since intermarried and the other night someone was telling me of some of the connections which I had not guessed at, although I knew the people concerned individually.
This is one of the advantages of living over here in Kowloon - there is a much beeter contact with the people outside the bank.
Elisabeth has had another leg manipulation and plaster fitted for a few weeks. It does not seem to bother her and she has been as lively as ever. Her school report was encouraging and her reading is advancing without any worries now.
Cheerio for now and love from us all
Peter
xxx
xxx
4. 12. 66
HSBC
Kowloon
Dear Mum, Dad and Alan,
Thank you for your letter and the news of Henry and Hilda. The Chusan is not all that small for ships on the eastern run but it is small, compared with those that do the Atlantic trip. I would not know what duty into UK is these days but it should not be too much. Can you let me know the name of the projector and the model number and I will send him one. I can fix the tie very easily but check the name of the club as there are two. The Royal and Tollygunge. My camera is the Kodak Rettinette IA and not expensive. The best colour pictures are taken in bright sun, which we have plenty of and the choice of picture, something with colour in it. I then snap on the fastest speed possible to compensate for the movement of the hands which is most difficult to avoid. Caroline has had her check and is OK. She has just come home having spent the night with a friend and has obviously had a good time. The cholera has gone again. There was only one case and the declaration only means that travellers have to be inoculated, something we always have done. The new manager has been here over a month now and has settled in without any problems. Our latest amusement is to go ten-pin bowling as there is new place which has opened near the office and convenient to go to after work, also relaxing. Well Christmas is close now and the invitations are coming in. A fancy dress do at the Chief Manager's, a day at the races at the New Year and sundry other affairs which will add to the festive season, but we will not have the snow as we did in Japan last year.
Cheerio for now and love from us all,
Peter
xxx
xxx
Kowloon
Dear Mum, Dad and Alan,
Thank you for your letter and the news of Henry and Hilda. The Chusan is not all that small for ships on the eastern run but it is small, compared with those that do the Atlantic trip. I would not know what duty into UK is these days but it should not be too much. Can you let me know the name of the projector and the model number and I will send him one. I can fix the tie very easily but check the name of the club as there are two. The Royal and Tollygunge. My camera is the Kodak Rettinette IA and not expensive. The best colour pictures are taken in bright sun, which we have plenty of and the choice of picture, something with colour in it. I then snap on the fastest speed possible to compensate for the movement of the hands which is most difficult to avoid. Caroline has had her check and is OK. She has just come home having spent the night with a friend and has obviously had a good time. The cholera has gone again. There was only one case and the declaration only means that travellers have to be inoculated, something we always have done. The new manager has been here over a month now and has settled in without any problems. Our latest amusement is to go ten-pin bowling as there is new place which has opened near the office and convenient to go to after work, also relaxing. Well Christmas is close now and the invitations are coming in. A fancy dress do at the Chief Manager's, a day at the races at the New Year and sundry other affairs which will add to the festive season, but we will not have the snow as we did in Japan last year.
Cheerio for now and love from us all,
Peter
xxx
xxx
15th November 1966
The Hongkong and Shanghai Bank
Kowloon
HK
Dear Mum, Dad and Alan,
Thank you for your letter - we have just enjoyed a long weekend with Monday off. Adrienne's birthday passed off well on Sunday. She had a friend over for the day with lunch at the swimming club. We had intended taking them to the cinema if there had been a suitable show but there wasn't - so that is something to come. Caroline's class has adopted one of the Blue Funnel line ships and I went along with her to an afternoon on board when we were taken all over the vessel. The engine room was very impressive although I would not like to work in one. All the children had tea afterwards which included lots of ice cream and so they were well satisfied. Will note that Mrs Hall will be due here about the end of Jan/Feb. She should call on me in the bank next to the Peninsular Hotel which is very close to where the ship will tie up at the Ocean Terminal - although if the times fit we might go on board to meet here. What are her initials?
I have put your address code numbers in my address book - all I have to do now is to remember to use them.
Guy Fawkes night provided a good show for the children right from our verander windows so that it was not necessary to go out. Fireworks have been restricted a little this year because it has become very dry and there has been an increased danger of fire - but the space in front of us is relatively free from buildings and the army barracks had a good display just where the children could see it.
Thank you for sending the books. Elisabeth's reading is coming on well now and she has a sudden interest in spelling which in the past two weeks has come on amazingly. The other girls are now attending ballet lessons and Caroline has her Brownies which keep them busy. With the cool weather these activities are much easier to attend to and with luck it will stay cool until March.
Cheerio for now and love from us all
Peter
xxx
xxx
Kowloon
HK
Dear Mum, Dad and Alan,
Thank you for your letter - we have just enjoyed a long weekend with Monday off. Adrienne's birthday passed off well on Sunday. She had a friend over for the day with lunch at the swimming club. We had intended taking them to the cinema if there had been a suitable show but there wasn't - so that is something to come. Caroline's class has adopted one of the Blue Funnel line ships and I went along with her to an afternoon on board when we were taken all over the vessel. The engine room was very impressive although I would not like to work in one. All the children had tea afterwards which included lots of ice cream and so they were well satisfied. Will note that Mrs Hall will be due here about the end of Jan/Feb. She should call on me in the bank next to the Peninsular Hotel which is very close to where the ship will tie up at the Ocean Terminal - although if the times fit we might go on board to meet here. What are her initials?
I have put your address code numbers in my address book - all I have to do now is to remember to use them.
Guy Fawkes night provided a good show for the children right from our verander windows so that it was not necessary to go out. Fireworks have been restricted a little this year because it has become very dry and there has been an increased danger of fire - but the space in front of us is relatively free from buildings and the army barracks had a good display just where the children could see it.
Thank you for sending the books. Elisabeth's reading is coming on well now and she has a sudden interest in spelling which in the past two weeks has come on amazingly. The other girls are now attending ballet lessons and Caroline has her Brownies which keep them busy. With the cool weather these activities are much easier to attend to and with luck it will stay cool until March.
Cheerio for now and love from us all
Peter
xxx
xxx
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