Mr. N.A. Hughes,
C/o Y.M.C.A. College,
5315 Drexel Avenue,
CHICAGO. Ill. U.S.A.
My dear Noel,
Your letter dated October 28th reached me this week. You then reported that school had been in session for about two weeks and that everything was going well. We were interested in hearing of the subjects that you are taking during your first term. I think you will find it somewhat difficult to carry 2 1/2 majors plus the four units that are required for your entrance status. However, no doubt you will be able to plan your work in a way that will carry this schedule.
We were delighted to hear that you had such a thoroughly happy time during Orientation week. I know it is necessary for you to become associated with one or more of the fraternities, but I would urge that you do not spend too large an amount of your time in that way.
I suppose the Initiation was the usual type of affair in which the Freshman perform all kinds of stunts for the benefit of the seniors.
I am sorry to hear that you have not been able to secure steady employment, but am encouraged by your expectation that something will turn up in the near future.
I have been thinking a good deal about the Amplifier and I do not feel that it would be wise to carry out your suggestion and pass it over to the Radio Club. At any rate I will not do that until I have exhausted every possibility of a sale.
We were all glad to hear from you, although you must remember we were kept waiting for a letter for nearly six weeks. I think you should endeavour to write at least every other week.
Keith was glad to get your message concerning his birthday. I passed your letter around for the members of the staff to read and they all join in regards to you. Kath. was disappointed that she did not get a letter this mail. In fact I think her last letter was dated the end of September.
By this mail also we received the Panoramic Picture of the Chicago skyline. It is a splendid picture, and we are grateful to you for sending it. We shall have it framed and put with the other panoramas we have.
The folk at home are all well. Edith was greatly excited yesterday. She paid a visit with her school to the Electricity Commission's place at Yallourn and had a great day. She characterised it as "gorgeous". We were rather amused in finding her last Will and Testament, which was dated 17th November and addressed "To the people I love". In this she left her clothes to the poor, £10:0:0 to her brothers in America, £7:15:0 to be divided between Mum and Dad; her pearls to one of her friends and her bangle to another and her desk at school to still another! She is a queer kid. At the bottom of the will which was witnessed by two her her friends she had a sentence to the effect that the above will had to be considered in the light of any subsequent wills found. You can imagine that we have had quite a lot of amusement over this find. Joy looks unutterable disgust and simply says "mad".
Keith has another ship coming in this week which will give him a further extension of his job. This is helping to give him some pocket money at any rate, although we will be very delighted when he is able to secure a constant job.
Rex. Baker has been away a great deal, and is away again this time for about 10 days.
Ruth was knocked down by a motorcar in town the other day, and was severely bruised, but apart from that no ill effects have shown themselves. She refused to proceed against the motorist, although he was obviously in the wrong, but I think the police are insisting upon action being taken in the matter. Just what will happen I do not know.
Uncle Will has had to leave his place in Swanston Street and he could not continue there on account of the difficulties he was experiencing. He has shifted out to the corner of Lennox Street and Bridge Road, Richmond. Poor Bill is having a very hard time.
Mother and I went along to the Sunday School picnic on Saturday, October 28th. The day was beautifully fine and the affair went off splendidly. Everybody was quite happy and of course the two kids were in their element.
The same day happened to be Henley Day. The Vikings had their Viking War ship on the river and got a great amount of publicity in the illustrated papers. They were also successful in securing a special prize of £3:0:0 for the best decorated boat.
This practically paid for the boat which they purchased for £5:0:0 a week or two before. They now have this boat available for picnic gatherings, etc., and I suppose it will be kept at the Canoe Club House at Studley Park.
We are commencing the usual round of Christmas socials and dinners at the Association building. This week we had the wind-up function at the highschool group and of the Workings Men's College group, and others will continue right up to Christmas. There is a big range of them this year.
Yesterday we had afternoon tea to say farewell to Reg. Gray, and made him a small presentation. Reg. finishes up today, although we expect we shall be able to make a good deal of use of him if he stays in Melbourne, in some forms of Honorary Service.
Arrangements for the camps are well in hand and we are expecting big enrollments of both seniors and juniors.
You will be surprised to learn that Alec. Moodie is not returning to Brisbane. I had a letter from him this week and also from Ralph Cole, in which they both ask me to see what I can do towards securing a permit from the American Consulate here for Moodie to return to Honolulu to undertake a job for the Honolulu Y. You can be sure I will do my best in this direction, but I am of the opinion that we will not be successful in securing any special arrangement without a great deal of pressure. Of course, if we cannot secure the necessary permit, Moodie will probably have to seek a job in business or elsewhere.
You will be glad to hear that the 12th National Convention went of splendidly. There was the usual long debate concerning the National Committee Finance, but in the end the matter had to be referred back to the Associations for further consideration. Personally I do not think that the Associations can hope to provide more than about £250 a year towards the support of the National work. Frank Trainor will finish up his part time arrangement at the end of the year and will continue to give some degree of supervision to National Work in an honorary capacity. Frank Woodcraft will be retained on the National Staff, but of course will be required to raise his own budget and more.
We had a splendid discussion on the questionnaire "Our purpose, our youth, our times." This was the bright spot in the convention proceedings.
Mr. Thomas Thomas has resigned the Chairmanship of the National Committee after 15 years' service, and Mr. R.W. Nevile, of our Board, has been appointed National Chairman. Mr. Thomas will still remain on the National Committee and will give service as Honorary Secretary of the Executive. A little later on, when the full report of the Convention is available, I will send a copy to you.
The Prefects had a splendid conference at Mr. Crosby's house at Tremont, and have made a fine lot of suggestions for the better working of the Boys' Department. The Fathers' Club also had a weekend Conference at Shoreham. The Leaders of the Viking Club are to have a conference next weekend. The Gym. leaders held theirs a little while back at Manyung. I was down at Manyung a week or two ago and was interested to see the developments that have taken place in the camp. Both properties at Shoreham and Manyung are in excellent condition, mainly through the fine service given by the work parties of members.
This letter should reach you just about the beginning of the New Year. All the folk in the Association and of course the folk at home, join in hearty good wishes to you, and hope that you will have a season of good times.
We would like you to let us know a little more about your college life, especially whether you are living in college or elsewhere. Please pass on my regards to Mr. and Mrs. Glover and of course to Dean Foss at the College.
Now, my boy, we earnestly hope that you will be able to carry your schedule of work in a way that will do credit to yourself, and honour to Australia. You of course must feel the sense of responsibility to worthily represent the country from whence you came.
With our united love,
Yours affectionately,
Dad.
Showing posts with label Vikings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Vikings. Show all posts
06 June 2012
26 October 2011
No. 14 -- 12 Sept 1931
Mr. N.A. Hughes,
C/o Y.M.C.A. College
5315 Drexel Avenue,
CHICAGO. Ill. U.S.A.
My dear Noel,
I expect there will be a letter arriving on Monday from you, but in view of the fact that the mail closes in the early afternoon and I shall be engaged the whole of Monday morning with the staff conference, I have decided to write to you this morning. It would have been nice if we could have answered any of the matters that may come to us in your letter, but I am afraid that will have to wait now until the next mail.
All the folk at home are well. Most of the colds that they had have gone. Ruth had a very heavy cold and it surprised me how she managed to keep going in her job, but she has managed to throw it off and seems to be in pretty good form just now. She is just as interested in her nursing as ever and I have no doubt in my own mind that she will be able to stand up to the exacting nature of her work.
Mother is also keeping very well, and the kiddies likewise. Keith expects to get a job again with the Wheat Commission and is hoping that he will be able to get into the forwarding and shipping end of the work as that lasts longer then the receiving section.
You will be surprised to hear that Keith received the Cup for the highest batting average in the cricket team for which he played last season. I think he was as much surprised as anybody else. It is a very neat little cup and now adorns the over-mantle in the drawing room.
By the way, I am enclosing the letter from Mr. Fred. Hartnell, Secretary of the Melbourne Rotary Club in Chicago. I am hoping that you will be able to deliver this letter in person and perhaps the folk there may be able to show you some little courtesy.
We also had a letter from May Glover in which she mentioned that they had made arrangements for a certain room for you at the college and that they hoped to be seeing you shortly. They seem to have had a particularly happy time at the Minneapolis Boys' Camp at Lake Independence, Loretto.
John Cook also wrote by this mail. He has had a particularly bad run of illness for some months past. He was hoping that you might keep in touch with him by an occasional letter.
We had a notice from the Lands Department advising us that noxious weeds were growing on the two sections at Burwood, and we were informed that unless the weeds were dealt with in the next three weeks, we would be fined. Keith went up yesterday to investigate the reason for the notice and discovered that there is a great deal of gorse on his section, but your section was fairly clear of it. A pal and he will be going up to the land next week with axes and slashers so as to destroy the gorse. A little later on it will be burned after it has had a chance to dry out. Talking of the lands reminds me that we have received a bill from Messrs. Maddock, Jamieson & Lonie for £3:19:0 being costs of the agreement and Caviat on you account and £2:5:0 on Keith's account. I suppose we did the right think in lodging the Caviat in case of any trouble that T.M. Burke's company may get into. I will pay the account a little later on.
Rex has been away for the past fortnight attending to some talkie installations in the country. We thought he would have returned before this. We have not heard any word from him and expect he will come back to the city this weekend.
You will be interested to hear that Harold Thompson who does the cinema work for the Vikings has been urging the Vikings Club to purchase your amplifier, so that talkie performances can be put on at the Association Building. Ern. Gollan is giving the matter some through and we will bring the machine in for them to try it out at a show they are having next weeks. I do not know whether they will be able to purchase it or not. In any case they will not be in a position to pay spot cash for it. However, we will do our best with them if they feel to buy the machine. I am getting concerned at our inability to dispose of it as the winter is practically gone, and we may not get the same chance of selling it during the summer months. there is not likely to be the same measure of demand.
This afternoon we are to have a visit from the Ballarat YMCA and expect about 20 to 25 men in the party. We shall have tea together in the Lounge Dining Room, after which there will be matches in billiards, volleyball, basketball, etc. This is one of the attempts to bring about closer relationship between the country Associations and our own. In a week or two, a group of our boys will be visiting Ballarat Association for competition purposes.
By the way, the Queen Carnival is moving along quite nicely and is gathering momentum and interest. I have looked at the figures on the score board and notice that Kath. Lilford is leading with 3079 votes, Lil. Langham second with 2319, and Miss Davis of the juniors, third with 1990 votes. I must say that we are very pleased with the way our members are responding to this Queen Carnival competition. the Interest has been splendid and a great number of functions has been arranged by each of the committees. We are closing the competition on October 8th, when we will have taken Wirth's Olympia for the crowning ceremony. We are planning a very big gathering with an excellent programme. If this is properly worked we should get a full hall, as the interest should be good. The first part of the programme is likely to be a demonstration of our work by a grand parade of practically all our clubs and classes. We expect to have the help of one or two choirs, brass band, etc. The crowning ceremony is staged on quite an elaborate plan, and I think we shall have an evening of considerable interest and enjoyment. Arrangements have already been made for costumes for each of the queens and we think the ceremony should have some beautiful effects.
The staff men who were ill, have all returned to their jobs. Alf. Hines' leg is still causing him to limp, but I think it will be quite well again within the next week or so. Bob Way still has some pain from his rheumatics, but he is on the job and getting steadily better. Matron has had a number of her teeth out and she is not feeling too good as the result of the extractions.
The South Hawthorn Presbyterian Church decided to do without a sale of work this year, and on Tuesday last some of the members of the session, with the Minister, were in attendance at the Church building all day, to receive the gifts of the congregation. A sum of over £70 was subscribed by direct giving. This was an excellent result for such a small church.
Mr. Baird has enquired on several occasions concerning yourself, and we have passed on any information we have had regarding your movements.
We are still finding the financial position pretty difficult in the Association. I think we shall have to face further economies as we cannot hope to continue the losses we are making each month.
This letter should reach you just as you are getting into the collar of your studies. There will be many strange experiences come to you int he next few weeks and you may find it somewhat difficult to set your mind to the steady routine demanded by college life. So many new impressions will be crowding in upon you, all of which have a very disturbing effect. The newness of college life too, will mean that you will require to make a great deal of readjustment in your ordinary habits. I can only express the hope that you will take things as philosophically as possible, and determine to give your best thought to the work immediately in hand.
I am hoping too, that you may have had success in meeting all the requirements of college entrance examination. To start your work without arrears of studies, will mean a great deal to you, but even if you have to make up certain subjects, it is astonishing how quickly the can be disposed of if they are tackled resolutely and with a determination to win out.
I repeat what I have tried to say in other letters, that whatever success you may achieve in your studies, the important thing is that you should recognise that the work of the Association is primarily that of religious leadership. Cultivate a close relationship with Christ through your private study of His word and prayer and service.
We all unite in love to you,
Yours affectionately,
Dad
C/o Y.M.C.A. College
5315 Drexel Avenue,
CHICAGO. Ill. U.S.A.
My dear Noel,
I expect there will be a letter arriving on Monday from you, but in view of the fact that the mail closes in the early afternoon and I shall be engaged the whole of Monday morning with the staff conference, I have decided to write to you this morning. It would have been nice if we could have answered any of the matters that may come to us in your letter, but I am afraid that will have to wait now until the next mail.
All the folk at home are well. Most of the colds that they had have gone. Ruth had a very heavy cold and it surprised me how she managed to keep going in her job, but she has managed to throw it off and seems to be in pretty good form just now. She is just as interested in her nursing as ever and I have no doubt in my own mind that she will be able to stand up to the exacting nature of her work.
Mother is also keeping very well, and the kiddies likewise. Keith expects to get a job again with the Wheat Commission and is hoping that he will be able to get into the forwarding and shipping end of the work as that lasts longer then the receiving section.
You will be surprised to hear that Keith received the Cup for the highest batting average in the cricket team for which he played last season. I think he was as much surprised as anybody else. It is a very neat little cup and now adorns the over-mantle in the drawing room.
By the way, I am enclosing the letter from Mr. Fred. Hartnell, Secretary of the Melbourne Rotary Club in Chicago. I am hoping that you will be able to deliver this letter in person and perhaps the folk there may be able to show you some little courtesy.
We also had a letter from May Glover in which she mentioned that they had made arrangements for a certain room for you at the college and that they hoped to be seeing you shortly. They seem to have had a particularly happy time at the Minneapolis Boys' Camp at Lake Independence, Loretto.
John Cook also wrote by this mail. He has had a particularly bad run of illness for some months past. He was hoping that you might keep in touch with him by an occasional letter.
We had a notice from the Lands Department advising us that noxious weeds were growing on the two sections at Burwood, and we were informed that unless the weeds were dealt with in the next three weeks, we would be fined. Keith went up yesterday to investigate the reason for the notice and discovered that there is a great deal of gorse on his section, but your section was fairly clear of it. A pal and he will be going up to the land next week with axes and slashers so as to destroy the gorse. A little later on it will be burned after it has had a chance to dry out. Talking of the lands reminds me that we have received a bill from Messrs. Maddock, Jamieson & Lonie for £3:19:0 being costs of the agreement and Caviat on you account and £2:5:0 on Keith's account. I suppose we did the right think in lodging the Caviat in case of any trouble that T.M. Burke's company may get into. I will pay the account a little later on.
Rex has been away for the past fortnight attending to some talkie installations in the country. We thought he would have returned before this. We have not heard any word from him and expect he will come back to the city this weekend.
You will be interested to hear that Harold Thompson who does the cinema work for the Vikings has been urging the Vikings Club to purchase your amplifier, so that talkie performances can be put on at the Association Building. Ern. Gollan is giving the matter some through and we will bring the machine in for them to try it out at a show they are having next weeks. I do not know whether they will be able to purchase it or not. In any case they will not be in a position to pay spot cash for it. However, we will do our best with them if they feel to buy the machine. I am getting concerned at our inability to dispose of it as the winter is practically gone, and we may not get the same chance of selling it during the summer months. there is not likely to be the same measure of demand.
This afternoon we are to have a visit from the Ballarat YMCA and expect about 20 to 25 men in the party. We shall have tea together in the Lounge Dining Room, after which there will be matches in billiards, volleyball, basketball, etc. This is one of the attempts to bring about closer relationship between the country Associations and our own. In a week or two, a group of our boys will be visiting Ballarat Association for competition purposes.
By the way, the Queen Carnival is moving along quite nicely and is gathering momentum and interest. I have looked at the figures on the score board and notice that Kath. Lilford is leading with 3079 votes, Lil. Langham second with 2319, and Miss Davis of the juniors, third with 1990 votes. I must say that we are very pleased with the way our members are responding to this Queen Carnival competition. the Interest has been splendid and a great number of functions has been arranged by each of the committees. We are closing the competition on October 8th, when we will have taken Wirth's Olympia for the crowning ceremony. We are planning a very big gathering with an excellent programme. If this is properly worked we should get a full hall, as the interest should be good. The first part of the programme is likely to be a demonstration of our work by a grand parade of practically all our clubs and classes. We expect to have the help of one or two choirs, brass band, etc. The crowning ceremony is staged on quite an elaborate plan, and I think we shall have an evening of considerable interest and enjoyment. Arrangements have already been made for costumes for each of the queens and we think the ceremony should have some beautiful effects.
The staff men who were ill, have all returned to their jobs. Alf. Hines' leg is still causing him to limp, but I think it will be quite well again within the next week or so. Bob Way still has some pain from his rheumatics, but he is on the job and getting steadily better. Matron has had a number of her teeth out and she is not feeling too good as the result of the extractions.
The South Hawthorn Presbyterian Church decided to do without a sale of work this year, and on Tuesday last some of the members of the session, with the Minister, were in attendance at the Church building all day, to receive the gifts of the congregation. A sum of over £70 was subscribed by direct giving. This was an excellent result for such a small church.
Mr. Baird has enquired on several occasions concerning yourself, and we have passed on any information we have had regarding your movements.
We are still finding the financial position pretty difficult in the Association. I think we shall have to face further economies as we cannot hope to continue the losses we are making each month.
This letter should reach you just as you are getting into the collar of your studies. There will be many strange experiences come to you int he next few weeks and you may find it somewhat difficult to set your mind to the steady routine demanded by college life. So many new impressions will be crowding in upon you, all of which have a very disturbing effect. The newness of college life too, will mean that you will require to make a great deal of readjustment in your ordinary habits. I can only express the hope that you will take things as philosophically as possible, and determine to give your best thought to the work immediately in hand.
I am hoping too, that you may have had success in meeting all the requirements of college entrance examination. To start your work without arrears of studies, will mean a great deal to you, but even if you have to make up certain subjects, it is astonishing how quickly the can be disposed of if they are tackled resolutely and with a determination to win out.
I repeat what I have tried to say in other letters, that whatever success you may achieve in your studies, the important thing is that you should recognise that the work of the Association is primarily that of religious leadership. Cultivate a close relationship with Christ through your private study of His word and prayer and service.
We all unite in love to you,
Yours affectionately,
Dad
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