Noel's Account of Crossing Canada in 1931 - Audio

When I first wrote about Noel's crossing through Canada on his way to the YMCA conferences in Toronto and Cleveland, I didn't remember that I had more first-person information about the trip to share.

In 1982, when I was only 12, I made an audio tape of my grandfather, Noel, recounting some family history, including a story about his trip through Canada with the Hawaiian delegation on the way to the YMCA conferences.

It's been a learning process for me to get the recording off the cassette tape and into a digitized format that I can share, but I'm finally finished with it.

So, below is a YouTube video link of Noel telling the story, plus a transcript of the recording. I hope you find it interesting.

Noel: "In 1931 when I came over to America, when we arrived in Honolulu, about 30 young Hawaiian boys got on the boat. They were going to the World Conferences of YMCAs in Toronto and Cleveland. And so, I being by myself, I joined them. And, they were singing Hawaiian songs and everything on the boat from Hawaii to Vancouver.

"And, when we got to Vancouver, I stayed at the same hotels they stayed at. We were invited to a basket-- a baseball game and we sang at intermission -- at half time we sang Hawaiian songs in the stands.

"And then, we traveled on the same train, the Canadian Pacific into the Rockies, and I traveled with them. And we sang in the First Class section to amuse the First Class people on the train. And we got into the observation cars, you know, with the glass roofs.

"And then, when we got to the station for Lake Louise, we got off there as guests of the management, and we stayed one night at the Chalet at Lake Louise. In return for that, we sang on the terrace at sunset."

Haley: "And by then, you knew all the Hawaiian songs."

Noel: "That's right. And then the next day, we all piled into a bus, and they took us the 40 miles to the Banff Springs Hotel. And we stayed overnight there and in return for that we sang on the terrace of the Banff Springs Hotel.

"And when we continued, then, we had a special car on the train for us all the way to Toronto."

No. 23 -- 28 Dec 1931

Mr. N.A. Hughes,
C/o Y.M.C.A. College,
5315 Drexel Avenue,
CHICAGO. Ill. U.S.A.

My dear Noel,

Christmas is over and we are back at the office in the interim between the Christmas and New Year holidays. We had a very quiet Christmas both as far as home is concerned and also at the Association. Keith, Mother and the two kiddies and myself had dinner at the Y on Christmas Day, with the members of the staff. Ruth unfortunately could not get away from the hospital so she could not be present. Evidently they are short handed at the hospital and a number of the nurses who expected to get away were prevented from doing so. She was greatly disappointed and did not like the idea of remaining at the hospital for Christmas dinner.

On Boxing Day, Mother and I went to "Manyung" and Shoreham Camps. It was a wonderfully good day and we enjoyed every moment of it. There were between 40 and 50 in camp at "Manyung" and the fellows were having a royal time as the weather has been wonderfully good. There are a number of improvements at the camp which make for ease in handling a crowd. For instance a large 6 ft. range with new brick chimney, etc. has been added to the kitchen and this is a great convenience to the cook and makes catering for a large number much easier than it was before.

Down at Shoreham, we were delighted with the progress made in the care of the equipment. Everything had been freshly painted and grass cut, and the whole place looked splendid. There were 16 boys in camp from the Ballarat Y with Mr. Ack Way also with them. With our own boys there at 75 in all. Both of the camps are looking splendid just now, and we were greatly delighted with them.

We were accompanied by Colonel Lamb of the Perth Board of Directors. He was immensely impressed with what he saw. Messrs. Reynolds and Nevile took two car loads of us for this fine run of about 120 miles. We had dinner at "Manyung" and tea at Shoreham.

In your last letter you asked me to secure a copy of the Kookaburra record. I was able to get this from the Australian National Travel Association, although I understand that copies cannot be procured in the ordinary gramaphone stores. We tried it out on our own machine at home and it is quite good. While at the National Travel Association's office I secured a little booklet entitled "Talking Points on Australia". This I am sending to you under separate cover. It is full of interesting material which you can use in your talks on Australia to various groups. On the back of the pamphlet you will notice that there is an agent at 114 Sansome Street, San Francisco and would suggest that you keep in touch with that office, and ask them to forward to you any new material they may receive. Your information on Australia would then be kept up to date.

I am also sending a picture of the "Koala" which is large enough for you to display as you speak to small groups. That kind of material always helps people to understand what you are talking about, as it visualises the animal.

By last mail I sent to you a copy of Unaipon's book on "Aboriginal Legends". I am also sending a little booklet called "The Song of the Stars" written by Dr. Boreham, the great Australian Baptist preacher and essayist. This is a Maori story, which I think you could also work up into a talk for young people's meetings.

Uncle Bill was over to see us yesterday. He has been having a very difficult time in his business. So much so that he is hardly earning sufficient to pay the rent of his shop. I called in to see him on Christmas Eve, and found that his stock had been greatly depleted in his endeavours to pay his way. He had evidently sacrificed much of his stock so as to keep going.

I think I told you in my last letter that next week we expected to take the two kiddies to the Community Camp at "Manyung". It promises to be between 20 and 30 people at the Camp so that we should have an enjoyable time. The kiddies are looking forward to it with great interest. The two Laurie girls will be in Camp and we expect Kath. and Dorrie also to be there.

I want to ask you to please go back over my letters and answer the numerous questions I have raised in them. While we enjoy reading your letters we want to say that they are remarkable for what they do not say rather than for what they do say. You never refer to the receipt of any letters from us so that we do now know whether they are reaching you safely or otherwise. I think it would be a good plan for you to acknowledge the receipt of the letters giving the dates they bear. I this way we shall know whether you are receiving them. Will you be good enough to look over our letters and give us the answers to the questions we have asked you. You have never once referred to the receipt of your wristlet watch, which we posted to the "Niagara". Did you get it? or did it go astray?

We will write you from Camp but it will probably be a week or two before we write again from the office. If we miss a mail or two you will understand the reason.

We hope you had an enjoyable Christmas, although I can imagine by this time conditions will be getting pretty cold and you will realise how bleak a place Chicago is in mid-winter.

We are unite in warmest love,
Yours affectionately,
Dad

No. 22 -- 22 Dec 1931

Mr. N.A. Hughes,
C/o Y.M.C.A. College,
5315 Drexel Avenue,
CHICAGO. Ill. U.S.A.

My dear Noel,

Your good letter of 6th November arrived yesterday. We were delighted with the news it contained. We quite understand that you will be finding it difficult to keep your correspondence going, especially in view of the schedule of studies you are carrying and the amount of outside work you are doing.

Thank you for the clippings from the student paper which helped us to appreciate the push ball contest, and some of the other features of college life. We were greatly amused at your account of the push ball contest and of your golfing experiences. It is good to know that there are times when you have the opportunity to “let up” a little and can manage to see the humour in the situations you are facing.

It is fine to learn that you have been successful in securing a sufficient number of jobs to maintain you reasonably well. Between the work in the main lounge and cafeteria, you are practically covering your needs for food and shelter. It was good of Clive to help you secure the other job at the Community Church. This should be quite a good piece of practical work which should stand you in good stead along the line of experience as well as proving so remunerative. I have been wondering how that will work out in the winter months. I hope it holds for you and that you will have other opportunities of similar kind turn up should that not continue for long.

Your medical examination on the whole, I think, is pretty good. You must simply attempt to make up any of the deficiencies referred to in the Doctor’s report, especially in the matter of posture. The others are not so important, although I know that vaccination is required in America, although it may not be necessary in Australia.

All your Christmas cards arrived safely and I am pleased to note that you sent to a number of the Directors as well as to your immediate circle of friends.

Thank you also for the greetings from Tom Laing and Vic. Jones and also from Clive and May. Tom Laing was good enough to drop me a letter by this mail, telling me about the fellows at Springfield and how they are progressing.

Your enquiry regarding David Unaipon raises the question in my mind as to whether you do not already possess a copy of Unaipon’s book . I have a very distinct recollection of handing you my copy. Have you looked through your material? In any case I am sending you another copy so that you may be able to make use of the material as opportunity presents itself. I am afraid you are asking too much to expect David Unaipon to write out anything for you. You may not know but he has been away from Melbourne for the past three months and is now I think in South Australia, so that I am afraid it will not be possible for us to get any material of the kind from him.

The phonographic record I will endeavour to get and send on to you, although there may be some problem in packing it securely for transportation to America. I am wondering whether it could not be procured in the States. I will make enquiry regarding that from the Vocalion people.

I am very delighted to hear that you have been giving addresses on Australia, so as to give you more material that you may be able to use I am sending to you a copy of “Australia Today.” This is a splendid magazine published by the Commercial Travellers’ Association and is full of interesting information concerning Australia.

I was very delighted to get the copy of the Association College Bulletin with the picture of the student body and faculty and also a small group of foreign students in which both Clive and yourself appear.

Alec. Moodie returned to Australia a fortnight ago. He has an offer open for me to return to Honolulu to a position with Ralph Cole. Unfortunately, however, there does not seem to be any possibility of us “wrangling” his re-entry to Honolulu on account of the stringency of the immigration laws. We have tried in several directions to get the American Counsel here to stretch a point in his favor, but there seems to be little chance of this being done from this end. If Moodie could get action taken at Washington in might be worked that way but it doesn't seem very hopeful. When Moodie got to Sydney he was advised by the Brisbane Association that his position on their staff was closed. Evidently before he left for America there was some understanding with the Brisbane Board that he should take a position abroad if one opened up. During the time that he was away conditions at Brisbane became exceedingly difficult and the Board felt that they could not re-emply him on his return – So that Moodie came straight on here to Melbourne and did not return to Brisbane. His wife is staying with her people at Geelong. Alec. is now looking out for another job, and there seems to be precious little opportunity for anything in Association work so that he will have to return to business again. It seems an awful pity that he cannot be fitted into Association work especially in view of his recent experiences and the wealth of information he has obtained concerning the Association in Canada and America.

By the way, we had a letter from John Akau, Junior, one of the Honolulu delegates, in which he wished to pass on to you his greetings. He spoke very highly of the enjoyable time he had with the Australian fellows en route to Toronto.

Keith sat for two subjects in his Intermediate Accountancy, namely, Commercial Law and Auditing. He was very unfortunate in just missing a pass in both subjects. He got 58 in Commercial Law, two marks below a pass, and 60 marks in auditing, five below a pass. However, he is not very disturbed about it as he now feels hat he can do much better in the May examinations. It would have been a great thing for him to have secured these two subjects at this examination and would have made it easier for the May examination. Now he will need to take five subjects in May. This will be a bit of a hurdle for him, but he feels pretty confident that he can do it.

You will be glad to hear that yesterday he secured a job with Louis Dreyfus & Co., Grain Merchants, 465 Collins Street. This will probably see him over the next few months while the wheat season is on. He also has prospect of another job and is nibbling it so as to discover whether it will be a better one than the Dreyfus job. It is a great relief to know that he will be employed during the next few months at any rate.

Ruth was home today on her usual day off. She is still in the surgical ward, but expects that she may have to take duty in the Children’s Ward before long. She is still happy in her job although she finds the long hours a heavy strain, particularly since the motor accident I referred to in my last letter. Evidently this shook her up more than she thought.

Edith was not successful in securing a Scholarship at the University High School, but she did obtain a free place at Gardiner for the next two years. Joy unfortunately failed in arithmetic, consequently did not secure an additional two years free place. She will probably go to Fintona or Presbyterian Ladies' College in the New Year. They were both greatly delighted with the postcards you sent along and of course at the news contained in your letter.

You will be  glad to hear that Mr. Handley of the Melbourne Boys' High School, has accepted a position on the Boys' Work Committee. He is very keen and has been exceedingly useful. Mother went along to the High School Break-up and he then spoke to her about the time you were at the High School. Evidently he has a warm pot in his heart for you.

Nearly all of the wind-up social functions have been held at the Association building. The Vikings' Dinner was held last Thursday with about 100 fellows present. It was a great turn-out. Jack Brideson was awarded the McRae Cup and Len. Lacey came second.

Last night we had a combined Senior Activities Dinner at which the "13" Club and Mrs. J.R. Nichol's helpers were guests. This was also a good affair with about 90 to 100 present. The diplomas won by the Educational students were distributed and Frank Trainor gave a splendid address.

I think in my last letter I told you that we would probably have to close down on "Melbourne's Manhood". We now think it is possible to continue it in a re-organised form. Our printer has undertaken to publish it without cost to the Association. We shall have to reduce the number of pages and print the magazine on different paper so as to reduce costs. You can be sure I am delighted that we are able to continue it.

Laurie Bowen wrote me the other day and in his letter narrated the difficulties the Association Movement was experiencing on account of the depression in America -- how impossible it was to find jobs for men in Association work, as most of the larger Associations were reducing staff rather than increasing the number of their employees. I can quite understand the situation as we have had to reduce our own staff pretty drastically during the past year.

I have nothing further to add regarding the amplifier excepting that Jack Walsh had an enquiry a little while back for an amplifier. He is endeavouring to get the enquirer interested in your machine. Rex. is similarly endeavouring to place it with some of the country picture shows.

Under separate cover I have sent to you a copy of each of the "Argus" and the "Herald" giving the election results. You can see as you peruse the papers how wonderfully the commonsense of the Australian voters has manifested itself in the swing away from some of labor's wild-cat financial schemes. This result should help to re-establish confidence in business circles, and perhaps help in the reduction of unemployment.

We are expecting fine attendances at all of the camps. At Manyung we expect about 60 for the young men's camp and between 20 and 30 at the community camp which follows it. At Shoreham we are expecting the following attendances at the four periods: 70, 60, 70 and 35, but in the last two it is likely that the enrollments will be considerably higher than the figures given, as the entry dates do not  close until some time in January. The Scouts are also holding a camp so that we shall have 7 camping periods before the firsts week of February.

I am endeavouring to get away for the Community Camp at Manyung, and hope to take mother and the two kiddies along for a fortnight's spell. Mother is keeping very well, I am happy to say.

Well, my boy, we must express our delight that you are managing to maintain yourself and I hope, studying hard. I quite understand that you will not find it easy to carry your schedule, but I know you will do your best to stand up tot he strain and that you will capitalise every moment of your time and make it contribute to your success. Don't become too seriously involved in the social life of the college at the detriment of your school work. That is the common error made by students in their first year. There will be ample time for social life when you have demonstrated your ability to carry your schedule with honor to yourself and to Australia. We are all greatly encouraged by your last letter and we wish you every blessing and success in the New Year. Naturally we shall want to know how you got on with your first term's work and we hope you will keep us posted with the results of any tests.

Don't forget to keep close to the Source of all strength; you will need His continued guidance and blessing in all that you undertake.

With our united love,

Yours affectionately,
Dad

(handwritten postscript) The Staff send greetings also McDonald (of N.Z.), Trainor, Jenner, Nichol, Hooke, and heaps of others.

No. 21 -- 7 Dec 1931

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.

No. 20 -- 24 Nov 1931

Mr. N.A. Hughes,
C/o Y.M.C.A. College,
5315 Drexel Avenue,
CHICAGO. Ill. U.S.A.

My dear Noel,

We were disappointed again this mail because we did not get a letter from you. The last letter we received was dated 16th September and we are naturally concerned to find out how you have been getting along in the interval. Kath. Also was without a letter and your last letter to her was dated 29th September. I suppose you have been up to your eyes in your new experiences and finding it perhaps difficult to earn your way and at the same time carry your schedule of studies. I can only hope that everything is O.K. with you.

The Argus (Melbourne),
Thursday 19 November 1931, page 5

We had the 12th National Convention in the building on Saturday November 21 to Monday November 23. The convention was much better than we anticipated it would be and we were particularly gratified with the large number of our own members who put in an appearance at the meetings. The convention had some excellent discussions based upon questionnaires circulated among the Association on the subjects of "Our purpose, our youth, our times". These created splendid discussions and I am confident it clarified the thinking of quite a number of the delegates who were present.


The National Committee finance was the major problem we had to face. In view of the difficulties being experienced b y the Associations in making regular allocations to National support, it looked as if it would be almost impossible for the National Committee to carry on. However, there was a very fine spirit of loyalty expressed toward the National Committee and I have no doubt that the necessary money to run a modified programme will be available if not from the Associations, it will  be secured from interested friends. Frank Trainor will be finishing up as an employed man I think about the end of the year. It is doubtful whether we will be able to carry Woodcraft unless he practically raises his own salary by personal solicitation.

The Argus (Melbourne),
Tuesday 24 November 1931, page 8

The support of the Indian work will also be diminished to some extent, although we will make strenuous efforts to keep our contribution as high as possible.

Mr. Thomas Thomas, after 15 years of service, has resigned the  Chairmanship of the National Committee, and Mr. R.W. Nevile, of our Board, has been appointed Chairman. Mr. Thomas will be Honorary Secretary to the Committee. This will introduce a little new blood and it may be all to the good in the future of the work. I shall send on to you some of the figures in connection with the Australian Movement, and some reports which give the salient features of the programmes of the Association. This will be interesting reading and material which you can pass on to your friends or to the College Library.

We also held a short Employed Officers' Conference at the close of the convention, and appointed Charlie Jutsum, President of the Employed Officers Association and George Briggs, Honorary Secretary and Treasurer. This should help to revive interest in the Employed Officers' Association which it sadly needed. During the past 18 months or so there has been practically nothing done in its interests.

I have not a great deal of home news to pass on to you as conditions are much the same at home as when I last wrote.  The boil on Mother's chin has gone  and she is O.K. again. The kiddies are all well. Joyce has written a letter to you which has gone under separate cover. Mother has also written to you under separate cover.

Ruth has been home each Tuesday (her day off from the hospital).  She is just as keen as ever about her work. Keith has another ship in just now and this will keep him busy for this week. We are glad that he is managing to get these odd jobs to help keep him going. Rex. Baker is away again in the country and has been for some days past. He seems to hang on to he present job, although he growls a lot about it.

Joy is to have her examinations this week, and I am hoping that she will do well, and will continue her free schooling at another school. If not, I will probably send her to Fintona or the Presbyterian ladies College. Edith seems to be quite sure of having done well in her examination and I have not any doubt that she will go to Gardiner or one of the other elementary high schools.

In view of the fact that they do not seem over anxious to continue their practice at the piano, we have practically decided to give them a rest for the next year from tuition in pianoforte and I believe that the effect of it will be that they will be more keenly interested to take it up again. In any case it will not do them much harm  as we will see that they continue their practice at reasonably regular intervals. My own judgment is that they have not displayed any particular ability and it is hardly worth while continuing the tuition. Then again we must consider curtailment in some of these expenditures in view of the reduced income.

They Sunday School will have its picnic next Saturday which happens to be Henley Day and I suppose the whole family will be at Sandringham Picnic Grounds. I personally would rather have gone to Henley-on-the-Yarra, but mother has determined to go with the kiddies so I suppose I will have to do likewise.

We have not seen or heard anything of the Harrisons for some weeks, although I understand that Mrs. Harrison is still away in a position in the country.

Ivor Burge is back again from his honeymoon.

Jim. Swain arrived a little over a week ago from Perth, Western Australia. His job over there has finished up and he is now looking for a position in Melbourne. I understand there will be other adjustments on the Perth staff and it is likely that Parsons, the Physical Director, may be dispensed with and Ern. Saunders is likely to get the job. You will recall that Saunders went to Montreal and if this information is correct he is returning again to the Perth job. He was on the staff of the Perth Association some years ago and was also located there as Migration Secretary representing the British National Council of Y.M.C.A.s.

You will be interested in hearing that Holmesdale Nitschke has been selected to represent Australia in the first test match against the South African Cricket team now touring Australia. Mr. Dick Nitschke called in last June and left his card; and called in to see me the other day. He reports that the Nitschkes in South Australia are all well.

I think I told you in my last letter that I was to be inducted into the Eldership of the South Hawthorn Presbyterian Church. That induction ceremony was postponed, but it will take place next Sunday morning. three of us, Jack Roberts, Jack Gray and I are to be inducted.

I had a letter the other day from A.W. Alley, membership Service of National Council of Y.M.C.A.s of New York, in which he reported having met you at the conferences. I have not heard a great deal from America during these recent weeks, but I suppose that is largely because of the busy period an the opening of the Associations' programmes, September, October, etc.

I have not heard anything from Clive Glover for months past.

In this mail I am sending you a Money Order for Ten Dollars, which I hope will be of some little service to you. I wish I could make it five times the amount.

Please let me know how you have been getting along. We are all anxious to hear. I wish to goodness we could do something with that blessed amplifier, but seemingly it is impossible to dispose of it. When Rex. returns I am going to have a good talk with him and see if we cannot dispose of it piecemeal.

Well, I must finish now. This letter should reach you somewhere about the 20th December, and I hope, boy, you will have a Happy Christmas, although we shall miss you from the home circle.

We hope that you are enjoying your work, despite the difficulties you are facing.

I have forwarded a few newspapers to you which I hope you received safely. I shall also send you one or two others by the next mail.

With warm love from us all,
Yours affectionately,
Dad

No. 17 -- 14 Oct 1931

Mr. N.A. Hughes,
C/o Y.M.C.A. College,
5315 Drexel Avenue,
CHICAGO. Ill. U.S.A.

My dear Noel,

There is a mail leaving this afternoon, so I am dropping you a further line to give you additional news concerning affairs of the Association and at home.

Clipping from The Argus (8 Oct 1931), Page 5

The Queen Crowning Ceremony has been quite a big feature of the past month, and we are happy to say that it turned out to be a splendid success in every way. Each of the departments, Junior, Viking and Senior, "pulled their weight in the boat" and we had  such a multitude of fixtures that it became a severe tax upon everybody. I think in all over  40 separate functions were organised by the three committees in the interests of the Queens.

You can well understand what that meant both inside and outside of the Association. The Crowning Ceremony on Thursday last went off splendidly. Ivor Burge characterised it as "one of the most beautiful things he had ever seen". I think all of the folk who attended the ceremony were favorably impressed, and we have not heard one adverse comment. It meant a whale of a lot of work in preparation, but it was well worth while. I am enclosing a copy of the programme so that you will be able to follow the proceedings. The grand entry of the Queens was a very spectacular and impressive affair.

The voting was continued until about 9.15 p.m., then for a quarter of an hour we did not publish any results. this left the issue entirely in doubt, and during that time people were asked to contribute either in cash or promise, towards the voting for various Queens. When I made the announcement there was great excitement from the supporters of each of the Queens. The voting resulted as follows:--

Queen of Youth -- Kath Lilford --      30579 votes       £127  8  3
Queen of Juniors -- Ruby Davis --     30186 votes      £125:15  6
Queen of Vikings -- Lil. Langham --   22664 votes      £ 94   8  8

A total of £347:12:5. Of course expenses in connection with the effort will have to be deducted and I imagine that somewhere in the neighborhood of £300 will be the nett result. The whole effort was an excellent thing in that it welded together the various departments in one useful effort and its by-products in this respect were particularly good.

Kath Lilford stands
behind Edith Hughes

Kath had had a very heavy cold for some days prior to the Crowning Ceremony, but she managed to keep going alright, and is now quite well again. This effort entailed a tremendous amount of work upon the various groups and I personally feel that they have rendered very fine service to the Association in bringing the competition through so successfully.

We have had quite a lot of sickness in the house. Matron has been kept busy with attendance upon 'flu patients. There has been a very serious epidemic of influenza during the past tow months.  Some of the hospitals have had wards filled with nurses who were unable to continue their work because of the 'flu. Miss Bourchier was also away and so was Wally Muston. Muriel Ratcliffe is also down the 'flu just now.

In view of the legislation resulting in a reduction in mortgage interest, we are appealing to our debenture holders to accept a 1 1/2% reduction so that in future the rate of interest payable will be 5 1/2% We are hoping that they will agree to this arrangement. Of course, if any of them object to it we must keep our contract with them and pay 7%.

With all the interest centred in the Queen Carnival, we had a pretty lean month in finances in September, consequently we went back about £350. Our deficit to the end of September is £2419. This is a very serious position to be in, and we are having special meetings of the Finance Committee to see whether we can effect still further economies. This business is getting on our nerves a bit, and we are all feeling a bit frayed by the continual worry over finances. Despite all that we have done to promote additional business, we have had very little result from the extra promotion.

I have had several letters from America during the last few days, and also from England. In a letter I received from John Pontius, he spoke of meeting you at Cleveland. I am quoting from his letter -- "It is my sincere hope that we may be afforded the pleasure of having him at our home at intervals while he is in America. I extended an invitation to him to consider our home his American home during  his sojourn here; and I sincerely hope he will accept that at its face value. When he wants to get away from student environment into real home atmosphere, Mrs. Pontius and I shall be very glad indeed to have him feel free to visit us. I say that we told him this. Lest he be hesitant about accepting it I wish that you would write him and confirm the literal intent as well as the spirit of our invitation." Pontius also said that they had a visit from Alec. Moodie.

Fred. J. Smith of Toronto wrote -- " It was certainly great to meet your fine son during the Toronto Convention. I went out of town during the latter days of the Conference, and when I returned Noel had gone, and I have not been in touch with him since, but hope I will have the opportunity of meeting him again soon.

Ralph Cole has written me a second letter in which he referred to the pleasure it gave him to have you in their party en route to the conference.

F.J. Chamberlain, National Secretary of Great Britain, also referred to his meeting with you and so did David Gunn, the General Secretary of the Y.M.C.A. at Doncaster, England.

The National Convention is booked for November 21 to 23 at Melbourne. We are expecting reasonably good delegation from the other Associations, especially from the Victorian centres. I must confess I wonder just what we are going to do in the way of legislation at this convention, although in some senses it is necessary that we should meet to discuss future policy, especially in relation to national work. Mr. Trainor who was to have finished up with the National Committee on the 30th September, is continuing until after the Convention. Mr. Woodcraft is still in New Zealand, but I do not think he is having much success in his financial solicitation.

Messrs. Crosby, Jenner, Hooke, McKean, Nichol, Forster, etc. are all keeping well.

Ivor Burge is to be married on the 7th November, to Miss Eileen Laurie. Messrs. Jutsum, Gollan, Gray, Way, Hines and other others on the staff are all keeping well. We have to answer a large number of enquiries from the members, residents, etc. as to how you are getting along.

The kiddies at home are well. Both of them are greatly excited over the Guild Display which is to be held on October 29th, and next Friday the competition for medals will be held. Both of them are hoping to be successful, although I do not think that Joy can expect to win the medal this year, as it was her first year in the senior section.

Rex. has been away for over a week installing talkie apparatus in one of the country towns. Keith is still without a job, although he expects to be with the Texaco Company for 10 days or a fortnight commencing on Monday next.

Mother is keeping well and is, of course, concerned as to how you are getting along. You must give her some particulars regarding how you are faring so as to assuage her concern.

All our attempts to dispose of the Amplifier have so far met with no success. There has been such a tremendous drop in values, that I do not think that we are likely to get anything like £40 for the job or even half of it.

Ruth has practically finished her probation and we expect she will be taking up full responsibilities as a nursing trainee. She seems to be very much in love with her job.

I must finish now. I know you will do your best to give us full news concerning your new work. I sincerely hope you are finding everything  to your satisfaction. I should like to know just what attitude has been taken by the College authorities in relation to your entrance exam.

Be good enough to get Mr. Haughton to send me several copies of the catalogue with the small pamphlets giving other particulars.

With warm love from us all,
Yours affectionately,
Dad.

No. 16 -- 5 Oct 1931

Mr. N.A. Hughes,
C/o Y.M.C.A. College,
5315 Drexel Avenue,
CHICAGO. Ill. U.S.A.

My dear Noel,

I am enclosing a couple of letters from the kids which I know you will like to read. I told them there was a mail leaving today, so last evening they stayed home from Church to write you a note.

Everything is alright at home. Keith's eye is better again; mother is well and so are the kiddies. Uncle Will was along for Sunday and stayed with us overnight. He is having a pretty bad run in his business and has hardly sufficient to keep body and soul together. As far as I can judge, he is not likely to do more than meet his own personal expenses. His landlord has been particularly generous and not pressed him for payment, although he is months in arrears with his rent.

Certainly the
interest in the Queen Carnival has been steadily increasing and if we can stage the thing properly,
it ought to be a good affair.

You have no doubt heard about the success which has attended the Queen Carnival Competition. All of the Committees in connection with the Queens have been working hard to secure money to increase the voting for their respective Queens. Just now the figures are exceedingly interesting. The Junior Queen, (Miss Davis) has sold 11470 votes, the Viking Queen, (Lil. Langham) 11767, and the Queen of Youth, (Kath. Lilford) 12282. Kath is therefore leading by a few votes. There are other functions to be held this week and we have arranged for all the tickets sold for the Crowning Ceremony, to count also the final returns, provided they are paid in by 8.15  on Thursday night next, when the Crowning Ceremony will take place.

We had a picnic on Saturday at Mr. Crosby's place at Tremont, and £10 or £12 was raised for Kath. Lilford. There were 60 people present at the picnic. It rained heavily, but this did not interfere with the enjoyment of the occasion, and a thoroughly happy time was spent.

The Athletic Club held their dance on Saturday night, and I understand there were about 250 present. The presentations in connection with the premiership and other presentations were made. It was a good affair and I think all the folk enjoyed themselves.

We have had quite a number of additions in Educational Classes in the past three or four months, particulars of which you will find on the enclosed folder.

The Montague Boys' Club has been doing good work, especially since the formation of the Mothers' Club and there is every indication that this interest on the part of the parents will be productive of fine results in the life of the club.

Clipping from The Argus (2 Oct 1931), Page 2

We had the Vikings' Father and Son Social on Thursday, but this year there was not quite the same degree of interest as in other years. Mr. Hanson, the Director of Education, gave the address.

Frank Badger is in Melbourne just now. He is likely to move on to Brisbane within the next few days, where he will be continuing his work for the Electrolux Company. Frank has been out of the Y Movement since last January, and has been touring Tasmania in the interests of his Company.

Ivor Burge is to be married on the 7th November, and Harry Rowe will be married on Saturday next, the 10th inst.

Mr. Crosby has been very busy in connection with the work he has been doing for the Queen Carnival, and the Suburban Auxiliaries. I think that we are likely to reach somewhere in the neighborhood of between £200 and £300 as the financial result of the Queen Carnival. We are hoping that the function on Thursday night in Wirth's Olympia will be of such a character as to increase the financial returns very considerably. Certainly the interest in the Queen Carnival has been steadily increasing and if we can stage the thing properly, it ought to be a good affair. We are endeavouring to get a parade of all our activities and hope to have several hundreds of men and boys who will participate in it.

I must close off now. As the mail leaves this afternoon I thought I would drop you this note to say that everything was alright at home and to wish you the best of luck in your work.

We are all looking forward with pleasurable anticipation to the arrival of your letters telling us of your college work.

With warm love from all,
Your affectionately,
Dad.

Noel's arrival in Chicago

My cousin Margaret recently sent me a copy of a few letters that Noel had written to his sister Edith in the 1980s. In them was a piece titled "A LOVE STORY: Noel Hughes - Kathleen Lilford". 

The piece was Noel's attempt to explain what had happened to his relationship with Kathleen, the girl he left behind in Australia. I'll reprint the entire piece when it is relevant. Right now I simply want to excerpt the part about Noel's journey to Chicago and what he experienced on his arrival. It is one of the few written first-person accounts I have from Noel and it adds a lot to the letters.

Up to
this point
life
had been easy
and exciting,
but now the battle begins. Noel needed money.
$30
was not enough
to carry him
for six weeks.

On June 19, 1931 the Hughes Family together with Kathleen gathered at Spencer Street Railroad Station to bid Noel "God Speed" and a successful college future.

Even now in 1986, I can still visualized the group, and Kath in particular, standing there as the train pulled out of the station. Little did I realize then that the great adventure was going to extract its toll in many ways. Life was going to be a battle -- sometimes existence was more important than education. The great depression was choking the world. I had jumped from the frying pan into the fire. I am getting ahead of myself.

It was an exciting experience sailing across the vast Pacific Ocean. Dad had through the Y.M.C.A. and other contacts alerted friends of his son Noel coming and in Fiji, Honolulu, Vancouver he was welcomed and shown the sights.

En Route to Chicago Noel was to attend the World Conference of Y.M.C.A.'s in Toronto and Cleveland. When the S.S. Niagara left Honolulu a large delegation of young people from Hawaii were on board also to attend the Conference. Noel joined them in all their activities and learned their Hawaiian Songs. This turned out to be very advantageous to him. The group in return for singing Hawaiian songs in Vancouver, on the train to Banff, Lake Louise Chalet, the Banff Spring Hotel, were entertained at these resorts and a special car was added to the train for their exclusive use to Toronto.

Noel was in Toronto for one week, and then taken by auto via Niagara Falls to Cleveland. At the conclusion of the Conference he proceeded alone to Chicago where Larry Bowen a friend of Dad met him. Larry was a Y.M.C.A. Secretary and took Noel to the Lincoln-Belmont "Y" where he was given a room without cost for the six weeks before the College Dormitory would open. This was a "godsend" for all Noel had in the world was $30.00.

Up to this point life had been easy and exciting, but now the battle begins. Noel needed money. $30.00 was not enough to carry him for six weeks. The College came to his rescue and gave him part time typing. Noel earned enough to sustain himself until the College opened.

The College had granted Noel a foreign Student Scholarship which covered tuition only. He would have to find income to provide for expenses, food and rent. Also, it was determined Noel lacked one year of high school credit for admission, so the scholarship was conditioned on his successfully earning the necessary high school credits and carrying a reduced college course load. Noel had two years to remove the condition.

Noel attempted to obtain part time employment, but it soon became obvious that being a foreigner was against him -- times were bad -- he was not even considered, in fact discriminated against. The College was his only source of employment -- janitor work very early in the morning to pay the rent, washing dishes in the cafeteria for meals in the evening. In between times college study, going to evening high school, seeking baby sitting or house work for residents of the community to obtain badly needed money for incidental expenses.

His experiences seeking work, and the limitations placed on Noel by the College discouraged him tremendously. From the very beginning failure was staring Noel in the face, but he had to go on and try to fight it out, and if successful it would take several additional years to graduate.

No. 15 -- 29 Sep 1931

Mr. N.A. Hughes,
C/o Y.M.C.A. College,
5315 Drexel Avenue,
CHICAGO. Ill. U.S.A.

My dear Noel,

Since I last wrote to you, your two letters of the 14th and 23rd August have reached us. We are very delighted to hear of your doings. According to your fist letter you had arrived in Chicago a few days before and you were then staying with Larry Bowen at Lincoln Belmont Y. We were naturally interested in your reactions to the size of Chicago, although presumably your contact with other large cities had to some extent prepared you for the experience.

It was very good of Larry to meet you and to care for you as he did, and I must write and express my appreciation of his goodness.

I knew there would be difficulty experienced by you in locating a job, especially before your arrival at Chicago. The Associations are all having a difficult time between the stock crashes, failures of banks and the general business depression. Conditions must be pretty difficult for many of them, and in view of this I did not anticipate you would be rushed with jobs. Letters I had received had indicated in practically every case that there would be some trouble experienced in placing you satisfactorily. Then again, Convention time is hardly the time to expect attention when everybody in going "eyes out" and the local staff men are burdened with a thousand and one details.

I am glad that you had such a happy time with the folk with whom you were billeted at Cleveland. It is the general experience that Convention delegates get little opportunity to meet the friends who billet them, apart from the fact that they see them late at night, and have breakfast with them in the morning.

I thought the humidity of an American summer would give you a taste of real heat. We in Australia do not understand the degree of humidity which American people face in their summer heat.

I am very delighted that you met a number of the man, such as Pontious, White, Rhodes and others. They are a good bunch of fellows, and I am sure contacts with them will be of service to you in the future. I hope you will let me know the complete list, so that I might drop them a line as opportunity offers.

You must not allow the complexity of the American Y to blind you to its real worth. Many huge institutions have to show some degree of commercialism if their big service departments are to be maintained effectively.

It is good to hear that you met Dr. Jenkins and that they are helping you in the matter of employment. They are the people who could probably do most for you in that direction.

I am sorry to hear that Vic. Jones and Tom Laing had some difficulties regarding the grant from National funds for Conference purposes. No doubt they have communicated with Trainor on the matter.

I was interested in your account of the journey from Toronto to Cleveland. People would find it difficult to imagine that you could make the trip on such a small expenditure. I am glad you were impressed with the Niagara Falls. They certainly cause one to feel surprised a their extent and magnificence.

Your letter of the 23rd cheered us, as we were beginning to wonder whether you would strike a job that would be of real value to you. I think I tried to impress you on a number of occasions that you would find a great difference in the cost of living in America compared with Australia. I think you will find, however, that once you learn the lay of the land, you will be able to save money in quite a number of directions at present unknown to you. There are many directions in which a knowledge of the stores will help you to reduce your living expenses. You are certainly doing remarkably well to keep your meals down to 80 cents a day. I suppose you are eating at the Y Cafeteria. It cheers our hearts to know that the Association folk stood by you so loyally and helped you reduce your living costs.

We were very interested in your picture of the musical festival. It must have been a remarkable sight. It was good of Larry to take you to it.

I did not imaging that you would find your typing experience to be so useful to you. It is good to know that you have been able to capitalise it in the way you have. I think you will discover that everything that you do can be used as a means of earning money, and in a large centre like Chicago you will have opportunities to do work which in Australia would be practically impossible to find.

Naturally, we are anxious to hear what type of job you ultimately secure. It would be great if you had the chance to work at the desk at the College as it would bring you into close touch with practically all sections of the College work and with all of the students and faculty. With what you could earn in that direction and in others, it might be possible for you to see your way to almost complete support.

The other suggestions concerning the Oak Park Y and Lincoln Belmont Y would be of very definite value to you in your practical Association training, and it would be well if you could perhaps extend your experience beyond desk work, so that you could command a much better job in succeeding years. The apartment job does not impress me as being of much value to you apart from its money value. No doubt you will discuss all these matters with Clive and Larry, and in the long run find something that will be of definite help to you in your professional work.

I am looking forward with interest to the receipt of the printed matter concerning the Conferences. Some material arrived at the National office a few days ago, but it was of a very scattered nature, and it did not convey anything like an adequate idea of the discussion and findings.

Thank you for your good wishes regarding my birthday. Joyce was awfully tickled to get the letter from you. She will no doubt be writing to you within the next day or so.

Now just a little news in other directions. I had a letter from Alec. Moodie, written from New York, in which he mentions that he expected to see you in Chicago in about a week's time from date of writing.

I also had a letter from Sid. Peck in which he enclosed your letter to him, expressive of your thanks for the letter he had sent to you.

R.L. Ewing of New York also wrote to me and mentioned having met you at the Conference and of the suggestion he made that you should return to Chicago, as he thought there would be better opportunity for you there.

There is another mail form America arriving tomorrow, and I expect to hear from some of the other American friends to whom I wrote concerning yourself.

The folk at home are all well, I am happy to say. Mother is keeping in excellent form and so are the two kiddies. Ruth was home again for the weekend. She is keeping well, although exceedingly tired from the heavy work at the hospital. She is still showing great keenness in it and I think she will make a success of it. Keith had an accident at cricket on the 19th September. He went down to the first practice and a fast ball glanced off his bat and hit him in the eye. It was badly gashed just below the eyebrow, and necessitated some stitches by Dr. Ashton. However, the eye is practically better again apart from some discoloration. He had a beautiful "peeper" and looked as if he had been in a first-class fight.

Rex's job is still holding  and I think he is beginning to realise that he must hang on to it, no matter what kind of treatment he receives.

Mr. Harrison has changed his job recently, but it doesn't seem to be much of a catch and I imagine he is not doing particularly well just now. Mrs. Harrison has had to take a job in the country so as to help keep the pot boiling.

In the Association we have had a particularly busy time with the Queen Carnival competition. So many functions have been help in the interests of the three Queeens that it has been impossible to keep touch with more than a few of them. The crowning Ceremony takes place on October 8th, and just now we are all busy in making the necessary preparation for the function. We are hoping that it will prove a great success, although there is a tremendous amount of detail to handle in connection with it. We have taken Wirth's Olympia and we want to make it a first-class affair. You will be interested to hear that the score board shows the following positions:

Queen of the Juniors - Miss Davis - 4207
Queen of the Vikings - Lil. Langham - 6852
Queen of the Youth - Kath. Lilford - 6339

The score board does not denote the actual position, as during the past week a considerable number of functions have been held, the returns from which are not complete, and consequently the votes have not been added to the scores. I think Lil. Langham is well ahead at the present juncture, because of the Garden Party held at Mr. Crosby's house on the 19th inst. Kath. will take a leap forward after next Saturday when a motor picnic will be held at Mr. Crosby's home at Tremont. The Juniors are also putting in strenuous effort and it looks as if we shall have a very exciting time next week as the returns from all of these functions are added to the score.

Edith is tickled to death because she is to help Kath. in the Queen Crowning ceremony. She is to be either the Crown Bearer or a Page to Kath. Of course, each of the Queens will have their retinue of attendants.

Financially, things have not improved at all, although we had a bit of a lift from the Dormitory during Show Week. Financial returns in practically ever department have shown a bit of a slump and we are facing a very serious position in the general account. We are hoping that we may get some relief in reduced interest charges, on our overdraft and debentures, legislation for which is being enacted and we hope we will benefit from it. This may make a considerable difference to us next year, but will hardly affect our position this year. We are commencing to look forward to the summer period, and now that the better weather is coming we anticipate increased interest in our out of door clubs and camping.

A great deal of useful work has been done at camp Manyung and regularly parties have gone down each week to effect improvements in the property. Two bunk houses have been erected and over 200 trees have been planted on the property. Other improvements have also been made.

Last week seven fellows spent the entire week at Shoreham doing a thousand and one odd jobs in preparation for the junior camps. A scheme for beautifying the property has been approved, and trees have been planted and a whole lot of other useful things done which should enhance the camp property.


I have one or two people interested in the amplifier, but it seems almost impossible to effect a sale. The Vikings were interested in it, but I do not think it would be wise for them to attempt to buy the machine, as their use of it would be limited and as the summer months are approaching there would not be much chance to raise money by picture shows to pay for it. There are two others who are nibbling but whether we will be able to dispose of it I cannot at present say. I am very sorry that so much money is tied up in this machine. With the drastic reductions in radio goods I am beginning to doubt whether we can hope to secure anything like £40 for the machine. However, I am not going to sacrifice it, but will do my best to get the highest price possible.

We had a Rotary Boys' Work conference at the Y building on Saturday, 19th September, and had 27 men present, representing seven Victorian Rotary Clubs. We outlined our work for the year and also made a number of important decisions affecting our work. I hope you will get into touch with the Rotary Club Headquarters at Chicago and will let me know the result of your visit.

I think it would be good for you to ask Mr. Vernon to send me several copies of the College catalogue with the other pamphlets, giving information to students so that I might pass them on to the fellows who are thinking going to America for additional training.

By this week's mail a letter arrived from the Delta Pi Alpha Fraternity of Chicago College, which I am sending here-with. Presumably the writer did not know that you were then in Chicago.

This week you will be commencing your studies, and I imagine there will be much excitement occasioned by your entry to school life. I am hoping that you will get a reasonably good classification, so that you may not have to make up too much in back studies. It would be a good help to you if you could face your first year's work without too may arrears to be made up.

I have not written to the College authorities regarding yourself, because I felt that it was not right for me to use my position in any way to secure additional recognition for you. I will, however, write them shortly. By now you will have had your entrance status determined, and your plans laid out for your school work.

What has happened to your diary? Did you find the job too much of a "fag" to continue it? If you are wise you will keep a diary. It would not take you long to make your daily entries at the close of each day, while impressions are vivid, and it will keep a record which you will look back upon with a great deal of interest in after years.

Well, I must close now. We wish you every blessing, my boy, in your work. Keep in touch with Church life. Settle at one Church in your neighborhood and do your best to help out in some direction in Church life. Don't forget that your effectiveness in the future will depend very largely upon how close your keep to Christ.

With warm love,

Yours affectionately,
Dad.

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

No. 13 -- 1 Sept 1931

Mr. N.A. Hughes,
C/o Y.M.C.A. College
5315 Drexel Avenue,
CHICAGO. Ill. U.S.A.

My dear Noel,

Yesterday I received a copy of the Y.M.C.A. Blue Book giving particulars of the Association at Calgary. This is certainly a fine piece of printed matter, and I imagine was specially prepared to act as propaganda in a financial effort on behalf of the Calgary work. Thank you for sending it on to me.

I am expecting there will be a letter at home giving fuller particulars of your trip across Canada. We have had several mails leaving at pretty close intervals recently, consequently you have received I think in all about four letters from me this month.

We held the Circus on Saturday, and it was a splendid success. The afternoon performance was attended by between 300 and 400 people, mainly at our invitation. We hurriedly arranged to invite the poor children from the City Mission, North Melbourne Mission, Montague Boys, Deaf & Dumb, and a number of other groups of a like character. It gave the kiddies an afternoon's entertainment, and at the same time provided an audience for our performers. You know that the afternoon gathering is never largely attended, and is really more in the direction of a final rehearsal than an actual performance. Next year we intend to extend the invitation list pretty widely, so as to bring in a large number of the children's organisations to see the show. The evening performance went off splendidly. It was quite as well attended as other years, which of course was gratifying to see. We thought that because of the financial depression, there would be a considerable drop in the attendance, but our fears proved to be groundless. I am sending to you under separate cover a copy of the circus programme. I thought that probably Clive would be interested in looking it over. The standard of performance, was, I think quite up to the usual. Some of the items were, in my judgment, a little better than other years. At any rate most folk seemed to be entirely satisfied with the show. Of course,  it is too early to say how much we are likely to clear in the way of financial returns.

On Saturday night we also had a group of about 300 folk here in the building in connection with the Methodist Young People's Movement associated with the Methodist Babies' Home. Matron and her staff had the job of providing supper for the m and consequently could not attend the circus gathering.

Matters in connection with the Queen Carnival are gathering momentum and I think the response on the whole ought to be pretty good. Most of the committees organising the carnival are putting in a lot of time and thought into preparations for raising money and I think the results are proving quite good.

We are considering a big scheme for the crowning ceremony. Tomorrow night the Executive will meet to decide the details. We feel that we can make this crowning ceremony a big feature not only from the point of view of publicity, but also of some assistance in the scheme of money raising. The cards in connection with the Queen Carnival are not quite ready, but as soon as they are available I will send you a copy so that you may see just exactly how the plan is arranged and you will also see the photographs of the folk you know. (Enclosed).

Matron has been busy preparing curtains for the cafeteria and we expect this week to have them up, and we think the cafeteria will look much more homelike and the bareness removed from the walls. We are also putting covers on the tables which should give a very bright effect.

At our little Church we held a Father and Son Sunday, a week ago and had a fine evening service. Keith accompanied the rest of us to Church, and I think enjoyed the service. On the following Wednesday we had a Father and Son "Get-Together" gathering in the Church hall. Keith could not attend, but I went alone to see what the show was like, and was, of course, drawn in to make an address. It was quite a good thing to have the Church folk rallied together in this way, and I think it is likely to become an annual service. Next Sunday is Communion Service at the Church. You will be interested in hearing that I have been asked to become an Elder of the Church. This may involve an election, and it is possible I may not be returned because I am not well known among the Church folk. However, if they want me you can be sure I shall be only too happy to take any part I can in the development of the Church's life.

Tonight there is to be held a Minstrel Revue in connection with the Queen Carnival. This will be held in our Social Hall and is being organised by the Y's Men, Residents, etc. The proceeds will of course swell the total towards crowning Kath Lilford as Queen. Mother, I think, will be in to have a look at the show.

I have not much home news to pass on to you, as it is only a week or two since I last wrote. Ruth was out for the weekend. I think she spend practically the whole of the time in bed as she not only had a heavy cold, but was feeling the strain of the heavy work she had been experiencing.

The kiddies are well. Yesterday was Joyce's birthday. She is now sweet 14. I was told last week that I had to provide a cover for her tennis racquet which I think a very modest request and quite in keeping with the times! Of course, we will give her something for her bank account, but she doesn't consider that a present. She thinks that money that is saved is not a present.

Mrs. Harrison is still with us. To be quite frank we are beginning to be a little "fed up" with the rather prolonged stay with us, but of course we are only too glad to help them in their time of difficulty as Harrison has not had too good a time during recent months.

Later: We did not receive a letter this mail, as I had expected. Yet, on second thoughts I do not see just how you could have sent it in view of the fact that you would be crossing Canada about the time the mail left America. In the rush of the Toronto conference you would not have a great deal of time for letter writing.

Tom Laing was good enough to send a postcard from the conference in which he mentioned that the Aussie boys were having a good time, and getting a great deal out of the conference, especially along Fellowship lines. He said that you were busy making contacts to help you later. I am sure you would have a great time meeting the other Australians as the Conference.

We were sorry to learn that Ern. Saunders could not attend and more sorry still to learn that he was to finish up at his Montreal job at the end of August. This will mean another "move on" for him. I hope you kept a list of the folk you met at the Conferences who remembered me overseas, and in America. It would be a great pleasure to receive from you some idea of the folk whom you met.

This letter will reach you just before your College work commences. I understand it is due to arrive in America about the 26th. Allowing several days to cross to Chicago, you should get it just at the time your school work opens up.

From your contacts  with the Springfield boys, you will have gathered quite a lot of information concerning College life and work, and I hope you will put that knowledge to the best possible use.

You will find that it will pay you handsomely to keep in close touch with the men you meet at the Conferences. An occasional postcard or letter will be a valuable means of maintaining connection with them. It is customary for a young fellow to drop a lot of these personal contacts but I urge that you maintain them and keep in frequent touch with the folk by an occasional letter. If you cannot do that, post something to them concerning one or other of the branches of the Chicago Association, reports, printed matter, etc. This helps to keep a closer touch.

Rex told me the other day that the person with whom he was expecting to effect a sale of the amplifier has gone cold on the proposition, so that we are still as far off as ever, as far as disposing of it is concerned. It looks as if in the ultimate we shall have to dismantle it and sell the parts, if we are to get anything out of it at all. Rex is away in the country this week and I have been urging that he should do his best to introduce the amplifier to any folk in the country who may be interested in providing music for dance halls, picture shows, etc.

By the way you will be interested to hear that Williamson, the dentist who lived in the building with us for several years, is leaving for North Western University, Chicago, by this steamer. He will, therefore, be in Chicago about the beginning of October. I have given him a card to yourself so that he may make contact with you shortly after his arrival.

Don't forget to get in close touch with Mr. Norman Weston, Physical Director of the Evanston Y, Chicago. He is a good friend of mine and will help you I am sure. Also Harry White and Laurie Bowen, whose addresses you have. Look them up early.

I must close now. All the folk at home send their love. We hope you will capitalise every opportunity now presented to you. Hard work will bring its own reward.

Yours affectionately,
Dad

No. 12 -- 24 Aug 1931

Mr. N.A. Hughes,
C/o Y.M.C.A. College,
5315 Drexel Avenue,
CHICAGO. Ill. U.S.A.

My dear Noel,

I understand there is a mail leaving this afternoon, so I am taking a few minutes to drop you a few lines. There is not a great deal to pass on to you this mail, as it is only a week ago since we last wrote.

I had a letter from Merle Scott, who was formerly General Secretary at Honolulu, in which he stated that my letter to him advising him of you arrival there, had been forwarded to him at Eugene in Oregon, consequently he was not on hand to welcome you. That explains the reason why you were not met at the boat. The Association fellows at Honolulu did not know because there was not time for Mr. Scott to write to them between the receipt of my letter and your arrival.

We have had good word from Dr. Doggett, concerning the four Australians at Springfield. He writes in the highest terms of the four men -- Evans, McRae, Jones and Laing, and of course asks for more. I think you have got to do your share in building up a tradition in connection with the Chicago Y College. Now that Glover and yourself are in the student body, it is up to you to endeavor to secure the interest of other men so that the number at Chicago may be increased.

We had a visit from the Bendigo Y.M.C.A. Harriers on Saturday last. They ran from Bendigo to Melbourne, a distance of 100 miles in relays, and did the journey in 10 1/4 hours. It was an awful day with cold wind and heavy rain. The fellows had a very trying experience. That they put up such an excellent time is a really remarkable performance, for a club that has only been formed about two months.

We have a visit planned from the Ballarat fellows on September 12th when about 25 or 30 of them are coming down to a series of competitions in basketball, volleyball, billiards, swimming, etc. etc. This is helping to bring the provincial Associations into closer touch with our city work.

Ack Way seems to be doing a good job at Ballarat. I think I told you in my last letter that Alec. Spence had gone from our Leader Corps to the Ballarat Physical Directorship. By the way, I understand that Spence is likely to go to America for training later on.

You will remember David Unaipon, the aboriginal who has been living in the building. We have had a splendid lot of service from him in addressing groups of our members. Hundreds of them have been told the story of aboriginal life in the Northern part of South Australia.

You will be sorry to learn the Miss Ray lost her sister on the 19th August. She has been ill for a considerable time and passed away on that date. Matron and Mr. and Mrs. Pollock attended the funeral. A wreath was sent from the Association staff.

In the Suburban Auxiliaries Scheme, interest is intensifying, and it looks as if the Queen Carnival Competition will be a success. The Boys' Department held a function on Saturday night in which the Fathers' and Mothers' Clubs combined in a Games Night. There were about 130 present and a nett amount of between £3 and £4 was secured towards the Junior Department Queen. The Vikings have outlined a big list of functions, a copy of which I am enclosing. In connection with the Senior Queen (Kath. Lilford) organisation is getting under way and a number of social functions have been arranged. All this is creating considerable interest and I think will result in substantial help to the Association. It is probable that the Crowning Ceremony will take place on Saturday, October 17th, but that date has yet to be confirmed by the Executive.

Mr. Hines returned to work today, after about ten days illness, as the result of the accident to his knee. Walter Muston returned from illness on Saturday, although he is still far from well. George Briggs is still laid up and it looks as it will be some little time before we shall see him about again. Probably it will be the end of the week before he will be available for duty. All of this has thrown an added burden upon the front office staff, as there have been fewer men to take on extra duties.

Ern. Gollan is away at Buffalo with the Buffalo party. There are 22 who made the trip this year. They will return on Friday next.

There is little to report in connection with home affairs beyond what I gave you in my last letter. Keith has been working for the Texaco during the past week, but it looks as if this will finish on Wednesday at the latest. There are other ships to come and I suppose he will handle the cargo as before, that is unless he secures another job in the meantime.

Rex. is still at work, but I think he is getting to the "fed up" stage and I should not be surprised if he turns the job in any day. He states he has another job to go to.

Mrs. Harrison is staying with us again, but I do not know how long she will be with us. The kiddies are well and so is Ruth. Ruth said she would drop you a line by this mail. I hope she was able to do so.

You will receive this a week or so ahead of the time you commence work at college. I hope, old chap, that you have been well received and that you enjoy the prospects ahead. I sincerely hope a job has been found for you on a part time basis. From all I hear, conditions are not too good in Chicago, but I trust that a way will open so that you may find something that will "keep the pot boiling". Let me know immediately if you are in monetary difficulties.

We all unite in sending our warmest love,
Affectionately yours,
Dad.