The Hongkong & Shanghai Bank
Kowloon
27th July 1967
Dear Mum, Dad and Alan,
I have had a letter from Margo from Singapore and they should reach Bombay this weekend. Apparently the trip so far has been smooth and peaceful and the girls are enjoying themselves, eating enormous meals and E is walking on deck in the mornings. I have now heard that I shall get may leave in March which suits me as then I have the six best months for a holiday. Jan & Feb are not very attractive as a rule. Have been quite busy in the office. There is always something cropping up and with the troubles more of the Portuguese staff are emigrating. We are training up Chinese more these days but until they have experience we are at a loss for supervisors. While getting into gear for the computer and arranging for the more exact methods the system will require it is trying to loose a trained man from any team that has been built up. In between we slip in the normal day's work. However, am not overworking and seldom work as late as a year or so ago as either through streamlining or improved methods it is no longer necessary.
Margo mentioned she had won 30/- at Bingo on the ship and I picked up $70 at poker last Saturday, finishing at 3 am on the Sunday. It was an amusing evening with nine of us from the bank being a farewell for one of the juniors going on posting to Hamburg. I have forgotten what I have written about lately but Margo had a glorious farewell dinner given by Jock Ingles (?) at Penisular, finishing with anice cream cake with "Bon Voyage" decorations, champagne and the orchestra playing a farewell tune. It was quite a send off. Jock is an old resident of Hong Kong and has made his fortune here and in China and has always "looked after" members of the staff in Kowloon and he has a soft spot for the children too. I was at a wedding on Saturday - the invitation only arrived that morning and quite unexpected. Sandy McCardle who I shared the mess with in Penang. He is off to Bangkok today on a posting so has had to rush everything. So I had a very relaxed Sunday at the swimming club and soaked up a lot of sunshine.
Cheerio for now and love
Peter
Monday, September 4, 2017
24th July 1967
Written on HSBC airletter from Kowloon Branch.
Dear
Well they are all off after the ship was delayed. Everything looked comfortable and well organised. They now get off at Southampton. Margo says it doesn't matter and arrangements should not change in that she should telephone you on 21st/22nd to collect Adrienne from the hotel. But you will have to allow for last minute changes just in case and stay by the telephone. I do not know if it is worth Henry seeing them get off the ship as once through customs they will be getting on the boat train.
Not having done it myself that way round I do not know what the form is. All is quiet in HK at this time and the share market is trying to go up. Perhaps everything will settle down now. Am rushing this off so that you have some news and in case Margo's mother would like to know.
Love
Peter
Dear
Well they are all off after the ship was delayed. Everything looked comfortable and well organised. They now get off at Southampton. Margo says it doesn't matter and arrangements should not change in that she should telephone you on 21st/22nd to collect Adrienne from the hotel. But you will have to allow for last minute changes just in case and stay by the telephone. I do not know if it is worth Henry seeing them get off the ship as once through customs they will be getting on the boat train.
Not having done it myself that way round I do not know what the form is. All is quiet in HK at this time and the share market is trying to go up. Perhaps everything will settle down now. Am rushing this off so that you have some news and in case Margo's mother would like to know.
Love
Peter
16.7.67
The Hongkong Bank
Kowloon
16.7.67
Dear Mum, Dad and Alan,
Many thanks for your letter. The boat leaving date is now Tuesday 18th having come forward one day and arrival day 21st August unless there are any more changes on route. We have just returned from a launch picnic in perfect weather and had a lot of swimming and sun, making a pleasant last weekend before they are off. Will be very interested in Alan's house buying as we may buy one also. £6000 is not too much these days and as we will want enough room for 6 of us but not too big to maintain will probably have to pay more. However, if we find something which is leasable overheads should be covered. The best tenants are the army or airforce as payment is certain and they accept short notice so we can move back in when coming on leave. Some people have done very well this way. It is important to get tenants out on time. Adrienne is a little behind her age group but this has been all to the good. Caroline had stiff exams with much she had not covered. Susan did not do too badly. Elisabeth had a good report and is reading and writing quite well. Perhaps a year behind but she is advanced in understanding and will make up when she has the opportunity. She had a good painting on the wall on open day. You must give me the names of all the family at Chelmesford as I do not seem to have made a note anywhere.
The troubles continue but are well controlled by the police. They are now raiding the various centres and picking up the organisers. For the greater part it is business as usual and my particular office has been trouble free, although others have had their worries. It is anyone's guess as to what will happen next but I think it is only a question of time and it will all pass. We had 4 1/2" of rain last week which gave 1000m gallons but we are now on 4 hours every fourth day as in 1963 and in this weather one does miss a shower. Won't pay much attention to the newspaper reports on Hong Kong as tose I have read tend to overdramatize the situation. Things appear to be much worse in U.S.A. with their race riots. I did not get anything for Margo on her birthday & possibly there will be something at home she will want. Please let her know what we should get for Alan's wedding present and if cash is more useful that will be OK. The weather in England sounds grand and right for the garden. I only hope 1968 will be just as good. Cheerio for now and
all our love
Peter
Kowloon
16.7.67
Dear Mum, Dad and Alan,
Many thanks for your letter. The boat leaving date is now Tuesday 18th having come forward one day and arrival day 21st August unless there are any more changes on route. We have just returned from a launch picnic in perfect weather and had a lot of swimming and sun, making a pleasant last weekend before they are off. Will be very interested in Alan's house buying as we may buy one also. £6000 is not too much these days and as we will want enough room for 6 of us but not too big to maintain will probably have to pay more. However, if we find something which is leasable overheads should be covered. The best tenants are the army or airforce as payment is certain and they accept short notice so we can move back in when coming on leave. Some people have done very well this way. It is important to get tenants out on time. Adrienne is a little behind her age group but this has been all to the good. Caroline had stiff exams with much she had not covered. Susan did not do too badly. Elisabeth had a good report and is reading and writing quite well. Perhaps a year behind but she is advanced in understanding and will make up when she has the opportunity. She had a good painting on the wall on open day. You must give me the names of all the family at Chelmesford as I do not seem to have made a note anywhere.
The troubles continue but are well controlled by the police. They are now raiding the various centres and picking up the organisers. For the greater part it is business as usual and my particular office has been trouble free, although others have had their worries. It is anyone's guess as to what will happen next but I think it is only a question of time and it will all pass. We had 4 1/2" of rain last week which gave 1000m gallons but we are now on 4 hours every fourth day as in 1963 and in this weather one does miss a shower. Won't pay much attention to the newspaper reports on Hong Kong as tose I have read tend to overdramatize the situation. Things appear to be much worse in U.S.A. with their race riots. I did not get anything for Margo on her birthday & possibly there will be something at home she will want. Please let her know what we should get for Alan's wedding present and if cash is more useful that will be OK. The weather in England sounds grand and right for the garden. I only hope 1968 will be just as good. Cheerio for now and
all our love
Peter
Sunday, September 3, 2017
11th June 67
The Hongkong and Shanghai Bank
Kowloon
HongKong
11th June 67
Dear Mum, Dad and Alan,
Thank you for your two letters. It is a bit difficult to keep up with world events. The only reason we were concerned about the Middle East was the Canal. I had been saying that provided no one was silly enough to sink a ship there all would be well, but this morning's paper mentioned that they had blocked it. The probably means that the ORANSAY (to London) will have to go via the Cape (winter) and so put out the arrival dates, hotel and shop bookings. We must wait and see. The whole thing is irritating because a number of foolish people are packing and packers are in short supply just when we need them, but no doubt we will manage. The riots are over for the time being but strikes are being organised in various public services by a very small minority and with intimidation. I believe the authorities will control events and it will die down in time. After all the majority of HongKong's population fled from China and the youngsters do not know what is like there. They should be given a one way ticket.
We were both thrilled at Alan's news and he and Diana have our very best wishes. I do not know if Margo will be able to attend the wedding but hope it fits in. I am sure he owes me a letter so shall wait for him to write!
Shall send this to '65' in case mail delays occur on the M. E. route. We will look after Carolines present and you can settle with Margo when she comes home. Hilda's woolly can be a gift from us. We get a bit behind on presents and they always send so much. Glad the flowers were OK - I was late! but that week was taken up with a rush of things in the office and on top of everything else I had to prepare a lecture at short notice - so that was three evenings and a weekend. An hours is a long time to fill up. In the event the thing was deferred, on the day, for one more week. It is for part of a course for trainee managers of sub branes and the subject takes up three sentences. However, in HSBC we are experts on any subject at the drop of a hat - or so it seems. I was on Starry Halo for Derby so no good this year. Stock Exchange has closed again so shares are suffering. Utilities are yealding 10% + free of tax now and anyone wanting to gamble on the situation can do so pretty cheaply. Even bank shares could be bought under the London price to yeald 7% free of tax and London has gone up since. This is a scrawl - my wrist is tired- I dislike holding a pen at home. Hope to send Margo tapes by post - we will both have special machines and the cassette will fit both.
Children are well, Elisabeth is swimming more by herself without a ring. You are going to find them all grown up and acting, when they remember, like young ladies. Must say life is very easy with them just now as they all look after themselves. Even go away for the weekend and have visitors. I never know what to find on Friday night. We generally have four girls in the house, but not all ours.
Cheerio for now and love from us all
Peter
Kowloon
HongKong
11th June 67
Dear Mum, Dad and Alan,
Thank you for your two letters. It is a bit difficult to keep up with world events. The only reason we were concerned about the Middle East was the Canal. I had been saying that provided no one was silly enough to sink a ship there all would be well, but this morning's paper mentioned that they had blocked it. The probably means that the ORANSAY (to London) will have to go via the Cape (winter) and so put out the arrival dates, hotel and shop bookings. We must wait and see. The whole thing is irritating because a number of foolish people are packing and packers are in short supply just when we need them, but no doubt we will manage. The riots are over for the time being but strikes are being organised in various public services by a very small minority and with intimidation. I believe the authorities will control events and it will die down in time. After all the majority of HongKong's population fled from China and the youngsters do not know what is like there. They should be given a one way ticket.
We were both thrilled at Alan's news and he and Diana have our very best wishes. I do not know if Margo will be able to attend the wedding but hope it fits in. I am sure he owes me a letter so shall wait for him to write!
Shall send this to '65' in case mail delays occur on the M. E. route. We will look after Carolines present and you can settle with Margo when she comes home. Hilda's woolly can be a gift from us. We get a bit behind on presents and they always send so much. Glad the flowers were OK - I was late! but that week was taken up with a rush of things in the office and on top of everything else I had to prepare a lecture at short notice - so that was three evenings and a weekend. An hours is a long time to fill up. In the event the thing was deferred, on the day, for one more week. It is for part of a course for trainee managers of sub branes and the subject takes up three sentences. However, in HSBC we are experts on any subject at the drop of a hat - or so it seems. I was on Starry Halo for Derby so no good this year. Stock Exchange has closed again so shares are suffering. Utilities are yealding 10% + free of tax now and anyone wanting to gamble on the situation can do so pretty cheaply. Even bank shares could be bought under the London price to yeald 7% free of tax and London has gone up since. This is a scrawl - my wrist is tired- I dislike holding a pen at home. Hope to send Margo tapes by post - we will both have special machines and the cassette will fit both.
Children are well, Elisabeth is swimming more by herself without a ring. You are going to find them all grown up and acting, when they remember, like young ladies. Must say life is very easy with them just now as they all look after themselves. Even go away for the weekend and have visitors. I never know what to find on Friday night. We generally have four girls in the house, but not all ours.
Cheerio for now and love from us all
Peter
26th May 1967
Written on The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation airletter
Dear Mum, Dad and Alan,
Having read the Telegraph and seen the reports on HK it must have appeared very exciting at your end. Actually, the incidents described were pretty well localized and we saw little of it. Compared to a year ago the troops were not called upon and work was not interrupted by curfew during the day. Everything is normal now, although token strikes are to be expected in the utility companies as the leftists endeavour to show what they can do. Evidently, the bulk of the local population do not agree with them and they have lost out this time.
It has become very hot at 34 deg c and the children are doing a lot of swimming to keep cool. We have the Wayfoong tonight and so will enjoy the sea breezes for a few hours. Margo is still slowly packing but otherwise now the summer is here things have to move at a slower pace.
Cheerio for now and love from us all
Peter
Dear Mum, Dad and Alan,
Having read the Telegraph and seen the reports on HK it must have appeared very exciting at your end. Actually, the incidents described were pretty well localized and we saw little of it. Compared to a year ago the troops were not called upon and work was not interrupted by curfew during the day. Everything is normal now, although token strikes are to be expected in the utility companies as the leftists endeavour to show what they can do. Evidently, the bulk of the local population do not agree with them and they have lost out this time.
It has become very hot at 34 deg c and the children are doing a lot of swimming to keep cool. We have the Wayfoong tonight and so will enjoy the sea breezes for a few hours. Margo is still slowly packing but otherwise now the summer is here things have to move at a slower pace.
Cheerio for now and love from us all
Peter
9th May 1967
Part letter from Mum. She mentions in the letter it is Dad's birthday hence, I know the date it was written.
But the one I've sent is quite pretty.
I shall be sending your birthday present off tomorrow but I'm afraid it won't arrive until the end of June.
I have booked our rooms at the Regent Palace Hotel as it is convenient for Dickens & Jones where I have ordered the school uniforms. With luck we are due to arrive on Sunday, August 13th & we shall stay at the R. P. H. the nights of the 13th & 14th - travelling down to Dover on the 15th. Susan is going to my Aunt Graces & we wondered whether you would like to have Adrienne then but if it isn't convenient it doesn't matter. Perhaps we could all have lunch together on the 15th. I can't do much with Elisabeth - transport is a problem until I get a car. Anyway we will ring you as soon as we arrive.
Incidentally re the change over of your phone-numbers HK & Japan have always used the number system - we have no alphabet letters on our dial. If we dial a HK number you just dial 5 first.
Great excitement today because it is Peter's birthday - I don't know how the girls managed to keep their secrets! Elisabeth & Susan bought hankerchiefs, Adrienne a nail brush & Caroline a piano novelty - it pops up a cigarette when you press the keys. I gave Peter a barometer which shows humidity etc. I have run out of notepaper - the girls are always "borrowing" it.
We are having a fairly quiet social week which makes a pleasant change but of course the following 2 weeks parties are all coming at once.
The girls only go to school in the mornings now Elisabeth from 8.45 - 12.15 & the others 8.45 -12.45 plus Saturday mornings. It means two runs in the car at lunch time but at least it cuts out the afternoon trip.
We were all vaccinated yesterday & now have the cholera shots to be done. Peter has got passports for C. A & S so they are feeling very grown-up. They are looking forward to boarding school - hop they are as keen once they start!
I mush finish now - it's nearly time to start my chauffering!
Love from us all
Margo Peter & the girls
Have put in some photos - the coloured ones didn't turn out as well as they did on the slides.
But the one I've sent is quite pretty.
I shall be sending your birthday present off tomorrow but I'm afraid it won't arrive until the end of June.
I have booked our rooms at the Regent Palace Hotel as it is convenient for Dickens & Jones where I have ordered the school uniforms. With luck we are due to arrive on Sunday, August 13th & we shall stay at the R. P. H. the nights of the 13th & 14th - travelling down to Dover on the 15th. Susan is going to my Aunt Graces & we wondered whether you would like to have Adrienne then but if it isn't convenient it doesn't matter. Perhaps we could all have lunch together on the 15th. I can't do much with Elisabeth - transport is a problem until I get a car. Anyway we will ring you as soon as we arrive.
Incidentally re the change over of your phone-numbers HK & Japan have always used the number system - we have no alphabet letters on our dial. If we dial a HK number you just dial 5 first.
Great excitement today because it is Peter's birthday - I don't know how the girls managed to keep their secrets! Elisabeth & Susan bought hankerchiefs, Adrienne a nail brush & Caroline a piano novelty - it pops up a cigarette when you press the keys. I gave Peter a barometer which shows humidity etc. I have run out of notepaper - the girls are always "borrowing" it.
We are having a fairly quiet social week which makes a pleasant change but of course the following 2 weeks parties are all coming at once.
The girls only go to school in the mornings now Elisabeth from 8.45 - 12.15 & the others 8.45 -12.45 plus Saturday mornings. It means two runs in the car at lunch time but at least it cuts out the afternoon trip.
We were all vaccinated yesterday & now have the cholera shots to be done. Peter has got passports for C. A & S so they are feeling very grown-up. They are looking forward to boarding school - hop they are as keen once they start!
I mush finish now - it's nearly time to start my chauffering!
Love from us all
Margo Peter & the girls
Have put in some photos - the coloured ones didn't turn out as well as they did on the slides.
7.5.67
The Hongkong and Shanghai Bank
Kowloon
7.5.67
Dear Mum, Dad and Alan,
Many thanks for your card and the £5. I will buy a sports shirt as the hot weather is here now and summer things are in use once again. The photo of Con was very good, it was kind of Mrs Simmons to pass it on. I think the last batch of photos were taken on one of our local hills where we spent many Sundays during the winter with a picnic lunch. All the illnesses are over and the children are back at school after the Easter holidays. Hope we have a clear run now until they are on the ship. Glad to hear Alan is getting around. I was in a metals factory recently which had a machine which I imagine is similar to those he is, or used to be, working on - although this was of Italian make. Will look out for something for Mr Martin and in the meantime give him my regards. We have spent the day on the bank launch and have all picked up some colour. The weather was terrible on the outward trip although calm. It takes 1 1/2 hours to get to the clean island beaches and the clouds lifted as we arrived and had lunch. Elisabeth has a much greater strength in the water this year and swam a fair distance. In her rubber ring of course, she will not swim without it unless in very shallow water and when confident. The previous day we went to the Races, the last meeting of the season. Dad would have enjoyed it. There were three owners in the bo and the chap who rode the local Derby winner on the same day in 1926.
We were nicely up after the last race and it has been a successful season. The first year we have become interested, owing to invitations to a box and also pretty good tips from a jockey who happens to be on the staff of Kowloon office, although he is not always right! Last weekend we took the launch off to Lantao island to look over a shipyard and factory producing strip piping and knives & forks etc. They also claim to make the largest fibre glass boats in Asia. Later on I was having a look at a toy (?) packing factory. Next week one of our customers is starting up a new crusher for cement, so you can see we have a variety of subjects to think about. The latest is a series of labour problems in an industry which is presumed to be influenced by our friends over the border. However, I have sold a batch of shares for a quick turn. The market has been quite active here during the last few weeks but is subject to very quick loss of confidence on the wording of a headline in the newspaper.
Margo has some good colour slides of the flat which she will bring home with her. Her Kodak box & flash is very easy to operate and the results are not bad. The back now pays for passages for school children every years so guess that will take care of the summer holidays. Things are improving all the time.
Cheerio for now and all our love. Next time I write I will be 40 - it really seems rather funny.
Yours Peter
Kowloon
7.5.67
Dear Mum, Dad and Alan,
Many thanks for your card and the £5. I will buy a sports shirt as the hot weather is here now and summer things are in use once again. The photo of Con was very good, it was kind of Mrs Simmons to pass it on. I think the last batch of photos were taken on one of our local hills where we spent many Sundays during the winter with a picnic lunch. All the illnesses are over and the children are back at school after the Easter holidays. Hope we have a clear run now until they are on the ship. Glad to hear Alan is getting around. I was in a metals factory recently which had a machine which I imagine is similar to those he is, or used to be, working on - although this was of Italian make. Will look out for something for Mr Martin and in the meantime give him my regards. We have spent the day on the bank launch and have all picked up some colour. The weather was terrible on the outward trip although calm. It takes 1 1/2 hours to get to the clean island beaches and the clouds lifted as we arrived and had lunch. Elisabeth has a much greater strength in the water this year and swam a fair distance. In her rubber ring of course, she will not swim without it unless in very shallow water and when confident. The previous day we went to the Races, the last meeting of the season. Dad would have enjoyed it. There were three owners in the bo and the chap who rode the local Derby winner on the same day in 1926.
We were nicely up after the last race and it has been a successful season. The first year we have become interested, owing to invitations to a box and also pretty good tips from a jockey who happens to be on the staff of Kowloon office, although he is not always right! Last weekend we took the launch off to Lantao island to look over a shipyard and factory producing strip piping and knives & forks etc. They also claim to make the largest fibre glass boats in Asia. Later on I was having a look at a toy (?) packing factory. Next week one of our customers is starting up a new crusher for cement, so you can see we have a variety of subjects to think about. The latest is a series of labour problems in an industry which is presumed to be influenced by our friends over the border. However, I have sold a batch of shares for a quick turn. The market has been quite active here during the last few weeks but is subject to very quick loss of confidence on the wording of a headline in the newspaper.
Margo has some good colour slides of the flat which she will bring home with her. Her Kodak box & flash is very easy to operate and the results are not bad. The back now pays for passages for school children every years so guess that will take care of the summer holidays. Things are improving all the time.
Cheerio for now and all our love. Next time I write I will be 40 - it really seems rather funny.
Yours Peter
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