28th April 1974

The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation

P O Box 896

Collyer Quay branch

Singapore

Dear Mum and Dad,

Many thanks for your letter.  I too have read the budget news and it does not sound too bright.  We will have to deal with it as it comes, and have to accept things will be a lot different in HK.  Good to hear Ian has got the job after such a long wait.  Liz did not receive the birthday present - she always sends "thank you" letters promptly.  Perhaps it will be at the school when she gets back next week.  They should arrive on 2nd May QF 001 at 8.15 - a bit too early for you this time.  They have all had a lot of swimming and sun, pictures, helping at the second hand shop and so on.  Liz had a good trip out after all and was provided with an escort - extra cost, but of course we were thankful rearrangements were made promptly.  The girls had the greatest worry but soon recovered.

John Cillan came through yesterday from Borneo on leave.  He and I came out together 23 yrs ago.  Unchanged and a reminder of the passage of time.  What would you like for your birthday?

All our love

Peter & Margo

7th April 1974

  The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation

P O Box 896

Collyer Quay branch

Singapore

Dear Mum and Dad,

Thank you for the birthday presents sent with the girls, they will be most useful.  Pity you missed Liz after all that food she asked you for.  It was good of you to see them off.  It should be the last trip but one and next time only 3 of them as Caroline plans to go to Canada.  They are all bright and well.  They settle in so quickly it is difficult to believe they have only just go here.  Took them swimming this morning and then out to lunch.  It was a buffet arrangement so they had a variety and as much as they wanted so filled them up for a while at least.  The dog appeared to recognise them and is of course quite spoilt by them.  It was a fine morning but heavy rain later so they used the time for a big turn out of cupboards.  A good exercise, because there are lots of things no longer required and not worth packing.  Must start thinking what car to get and planning other odds & ends.  It is odd to think in different terms than just coming on leave and trying to guess what things will be like.

Cheerio for now and love

Margo and Peter

and the girls

31st March 74

 The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation

P O Box 896

Collyer Quay branch

Singapore

Dear Mum and Dad,

I do not seem to have written for ages but it has been a busy time with one person on leave and lots of things going on as usual.  The time is approaching when we will move into Ocean Building although the date has been put back.  We are also moving a nearby office in too shortly afterwards.  Some union matters have been cleared up, but others remain and it is not possible to get them all out of the way for a spell.  The election and budget are over, but I cannot see they solve anything. In fact much will give rise to an increase in all the old grouses with no solution to inflation or balance of payments.  Looking at things from a distance no country is in a strong position and the Chairman' statement at the Bank! AGM spoke of aprehension regarding the future.  

On the cheery side the children will be out next week and we will be on the go once again.  With thoughts of leaving the east we bought our second carpet a Persian "type" made in Pakistan.  Shortly afterwards we picked up 4 tatty ones which when taken for cleaning found one to be real Persian & may be of some interest.  So if shares go down maybe our carpets will go up.  Have to keep the moth out though!

All our love

Margo and Peter

Feb 4th 74

 c/o H & SBC

P O Box 896

Collyer Quay

Singapore

My dear Mum & Dad,

Many thanks for your letter - so glad the girls weren't delayed & had a good trip back.  I've just been out shopping & collected some photos so thought I would write & send them off.  It is a miserable day, damp & overcast.  We were going out on a boat yesterday but it poured with rain so we all went to the club for curry lunch.

I had hoped to do some gardening today but it is too wet so shall write letters instead.  The days rush by & the girls will be back again in no time.  It's a pity that I didn't get a photo of Adrienne with her short hair cut but will try again at Easter.  Peter is up to his eyes in work, their  doesn't seem any end to it.  Tomorrow we are going to a dinner at Singapore's largest hotel to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of one of the Chinese banks.  Imagine it will be a lavish affair.  The following day we go to a cocktail party to meet the chairman of Chubbs, Lord Hayter.

Pippa is settling down well & couldn't understand where the girls had gone.  To make matters worse Chinese New Year followed soon after & the servants were off for 4 days.  Pippa followed Peter & I everywhere.  I think she was afraid we would vanish too!  She has been quite good to house train & now she is no longer shut in one of the bathrooms at night but as the run of the house, with her basket outside our bedroom door.  Luckily we only have female dogs in the compound at present so it shouldn't be too bad when Pippa comes on heat.  I am all prepared with the 'PILL" and "antimate"!!  You can see from the photos that she likes to be carried!  When Peter gets in from the office she runs out to the garden steps ready for her walk on the golf course.  (We have a 3 hole "course" in the compound) & hardly gives him time to take his jacket off.

What do you think of our hi-jackers! -it's put Singapore on the map for awhile.  It all seems a big joke but of course could have been serious if they had succeeded.  It's been all excitement here what with animals escaping from the Z00 a hippo which has taken itself int the reservoir, an eland & of course the black panther which escaped 10 months ago & has just been found (&killed) in the area where our Manager lives.  Friends of ours in the same road lost their dachshund recently & they now think the panther had him.

No other news. do you have Margaret & Ians address?

Love from us both

Peter & Margo

24th Jan 1974

  The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation

Collyer Quay Branch

21 Collyer Quay

P. O. Box 896

Singapore

Dear Mum and Dad,

It was good to hear the children arrived safely and transport in London was OK.  We live in very odd times with the most modern equipment, but never know whether we can travel from A to B when we want to.  Glad you liked Adrienne's appearance as I thought she looked really special.  It was a great event to get rid of that bushy mass she had before.  I think she is pleased with it & wish Susan would do something similar but guess I have to wait a couple of years till she wants it herself.  At the moment she is worried about her weight.  Chinese New Year once again and we have two days holiday & at the moment perfect weather so it should be a good rest.  As usual the end/beginning of the year seems worse than the previous one and am amazed people still join banks.  Still we do not do so badly.  Had a long rambling letter from Dorothy and must write, I a way out of date.  She talks about our "wee ones" - so is in for a shock when she meets A & S.

All the best and love

Peter & Margo

P.S. Thanks for your letter re the girls' arrival.  Glad you liked A's hairstyle.  They seem to have taken over the aircraft again.  They do better on their own - it would not be as good if we were there.

3 April 1973

 The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation

Collyer Quay Branch

21 Collyer Quay

P. O. Box 896

Singapore

Dear Mum and Dad,

Am getting this on the way because of the girls coming out etc.  It is wonderful to know Elisabeth is coming out, she is so pleased.  Margo says you have been having trouble with our eyes - both of you.  Do not leave these things to get worse.  Instant action please and if any expense is involved let me know.  Margo told me someone of 103 had a successful op!  In court for 2 days this week on the union case and hope that will finish things for a bit.  The do drag on.  Give my regards to Maus.  How is Henry and family these days?  Must write to Henry again, wish I could dictate a letter it is easier, my hand is cramped at the end of a day.  Will get the girls to write.  Shares dull everywhere except gold.  Am reading a life of Disraeli.  So heavy, but very interesting to know the Conservative Party was for the "working class" when opposing Whigs & Liberals but none of them had a consistent policy and were just as muddled as today.  Even wars started because of total misconceptions & lack of knowledge, as they do now.

All my love Peter.

7th January 1973

P O Box 896

Singapore

Dear Mum and Dad

The mail has been delayed over two weeks so guess a gap at this time of year is to be expected.  Hope you had a good Christmas.  I did well with parties, from then to New Yea and continuing this week.  It will continue because we have a new No 1 arriving this month.  A big dance last night at the manager's house, I do not know how many.  Band til 2 am and wore a black tie for the first time since Johore.  I do not know if I have mentioned the No 1s house before - Mount Echo.  It can only be described as palatial, it is so big.  Set on a hill in several acres, it is about the biggest in Singapore.  However, its days are numbered and quite possibly that was the last big party to be held there.  Margo mentioned Ian Macleod is still negotiating his leaving the bank and seems quite determined.

The girls are enjoying their holidays and their letters are gay despite the odd problem which has cropped up.  Elisabeth's last letter was well written.

All for now, trust you are keeping fit.

All my love

Peter