No. 45 -- 30 August 1932

This letter feels a little more optimistic. George has heard from Noel, school is about to get underway again, and Noel has a job prospect. Even through that job prospect would require a 3 hour round-trip commute, it is in his field of study and means Noel would have income. George encourages Noel to join a church, and reiterates that his three sisters are also joining churches.

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

My dear Noel,

Your letter of July 29th reached us yesterday. Of course we were delighted to hear from you and to learn that you had safely received the Postal Order we had sent some time ago.

It is also cheering to hear that you had a few dollars over which you could use for other purposes.

We can quite understand the difficulties the College would be experiencing just now with the great fall in revenue that is sure to come as the result of the depressed conditions of business in the United States. There is, however, a feeling of sorrow that it has been necessary for the college to discharge a number of its permanent employees and also to dispense with the services of those who were on a part time basis.

I am glad to learn that you called in to see the folk at the College with regard to the possibility of a part time job this year. I sincerely hope that something may eventuate from that.

The commute from the YMCA College in 

Hyde Park, which is on the south side of
Chicago, to the Evanston YMCA, which is
in the near-north suburbs, is still today about
1:30 hours by public transportation. It's at
least 45 minutes by car.

Labor Day in the United States is traditionally
observed on the first Monday of September.
In 1932, that would have been September 5.

I had a letter from Norman Weston from Evanston, in which he mentioned that he was doing his best to secure a part time job for you with the Evanston Y. It would necessitate travelling to Evanston possibly every night, an hour and a half's journey, and of course the same on return, but he said that he felt if you could make use of that time for study purposes in the train the time would not be wasted. The job would be worth anywhere between 30 dollars and 45 dollars per month. He was hopeful that he may be able to turn this job your way, but of course with conditions as they are, they may have to  readjust their whole budget and in this way the job may not be available. In his letter he mentioned that he would be getting into touch with you after Labor Day. I do not know the date of that in America, but I presume he has already made contact with you and has given you the details of what is in his mind. A job of that kind would be distinctly of value to you in connection with your future Association work and it would be a fine touch to have contact with the Evanston Y work.

I was interested in hearing Ray Williamson had left America. I have not seen him here, so that I presume he is either on his way or else is touring in other parts of the States. We shall be interested to look for him when he arrives back in Melbourne.

We were also greatly relieved to hear that you had passed your subjects satisfactorily and that you had completed 6 1/2 majors. This credit will help you, of course, in your school work for this year and I sincerely hope you may be able to make the grade in every subject.

"I can quite appreciate your
desire to see as much of America
as you possibly can, although
frankly, boy, I do not like the idea
of you spending your Sundays
just on the move from place
to place ... . While that may be a
very interesting experience ... you
should become connected with
the Christian Church and carry
your share in the work of the Church."

I can quite appreciate your desire to see as much of America as you possibly can, although frankly, boy, I do not like the idea of you spending your Sundays just on the move from place to place as you describe in your letter. While that may be a very interesting experience I think you have other obligations which you should attend to, and one of them is undoubtedly that you should become connected with the Christian Church and carry your share in the work of the Church. I know you have sufficient "gumption" to realise that the best friends you have in America will be those that you form in your Church connection. These will last longer and be of the most service to you, and from that angle I hope you will give the matter very earnest consideration and not spend too much of your time out of responsible duties in some Christian Church.

All the folk at home are well. You will be interested to know that Mother, Ruth and Joyce, accompanied by a young friend are at present at Mr. Crosby's house at Tremont. They went up there last Sunday. This change will do them good. Unfortunately, the weather has  been very bad and it has been raining practically ever since, but we are hoping that the weather will change for the better and that they will have the opportunity of visiting the various places of interest round Tremont. We expect them back next Saturday.

Little Edith unfortunately could not go up. The reason is that this week she is having exams, and it was necessary for her to remain behind. I do not think she will complete her examinations until Thursday midday. I shall therefore not be able to send her up until some time that afternoon. However, she will have the couple of days at Tremont, and this will, no doubt, help her.

Ruth will be joining the Camberwell Presbyterian Church. Somehow or other she does not desire to settle down a the South Hawthorn Church. Edith and Joyce at next Communion will be linking up with the Church at South Hawthorn. They have been attending Communicant classes since the Mission, that I referred to in one of my former letters.

BUSINESS LECTURES. (1932, August 29). The Argus
(Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 4.
Retrieved March 27, 2015, from
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4470814

This week I got into touch with Mr. Jenkins in connection with the Amplifier. He assures me that Mr. Thomas will be coming in to see me with regard to it and I am hoping that it may be possible for us to make some arrangement with him for its disposal.

We had an excellent time at the Farewell Social to Charlie Jutsum. The programme went off splendidly, the speeches were brief and to the point, and there was a fine spirit animating the gathering. Charlie made quite a good impression in his response to the presentation. We managed to get somewhere in the neighborhood of 18 to 20 as a presentation for him, so that he goes away under good auspices.

This afternoon we shall be saying goodbye to him at the Adelaide Express. He will be leaving at 4.30 p.m. for Broken Hill. We shall miss Charlie greatly in our work.

UNEMPLOYED BOYS. (1932, August 25).The Argus
 (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957), p. 10.
Retrieved March 27, 2015, from
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4470122

This morning we commenced the work with unemployed boys. About 50 turned up and we gave them a programme of pictures, followed by organised games in the gym and a swim. These lads have all enrolled for future work, Each day this week we shall be having a group of them and we hope by the end of the week to probably enrol up to 250 of them for an organised programme that will run for some months ahead.

Today I read a letter from Bill McRae, who is at Springfield Y College. He graduated Bachelor of Science in June and is now going on to Yale and following that he expects to spend some time at Columbia University in New York. Bill is majoring on psychological subjects, and seems to be doing particularly well especially in those lines which deal with problem children.

I haven't heard anything from Tom Laing for some time, nor have I any news concerning Vic Jones. Do you ever hear from them?

You will be sorry to learn that George Brigg's mother died yesterday morning. The funeral takes place tomorrow, the 31st at 11 o'clock. I do not know whether this will make any difference in George's plans for next year. I have before me his application to Springfield and have been looking over his personal history blank and all their other blanks which he has filled up. I know George expects to send these on very shortly.

Must close off now. You know my boy we all send our warmest love to you. We pray for you constantly. We feel assured that you will worthily uphold the best traditions of the Australian Movement and that you will show to the other fellows in the College that "the man from down under" is quite able to keep his end up in a way that will bring honor to himself and to the country from which he came.

With warm love,
Yours affectionately,
Dad

Extract from Norm Weston's letter -- 26/7/32

"I enquired for Noel at the beginning of June, while visiting the College, and understood he was going to Lake Geneva to work in the camp there for the summer. They, of course, have had to cut drastically their working force. We practically eliminated all part time help from our Association commencing May 1, until Oct. 1, as well as reducing our full time staff.

"I have written to Noel asking him to look me up after Labor Day, and I will give him first chance at whatever part time work I may be able to open up for him. I believe I can make a part time job for him in our locker room, to work evenings, which will pay him somewhere between 30 dollars and 45 dollars per month. I can't say just how much at the present time, as something may happen between now and the opening of our Fall work to change our plans. I have my tentative budget made out for the rest of the year (the original one for the full year had to be revised June 1), and will be able to help Noel unless something unforeseen happens.

"Of course, if he can locate something better at any time, he will always be at liberty to make the change. Evanston is about 1 1/2 hours journey by elevated train from the College, and that means 3 hours daily consumed in travelling. If he is the type who can study in a train he can make good use of the 3 hours; if not, then it will be wasted time."

No. 41 -- 29 July 1932

The Great Depression, finances and the welfare of his loved ones continue to weigh heavily on George in this letter. The grim news concerning the Melbourne YMCA's finances continues, along with news about the Bendigo YMCA's troubles. While his three oldest children struggle to make ends meet and build careers, and news from his foster son, Rex Baker is scarce, the bright spots in George's life are so clearly his two youngest daughters -- Joyce and Edith.

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

My dear Noel,

One or two American mails have come in recently, but we have not had any letters from yourself. The next mail to arrive here is due on Monday, and as this mail closes today, I am afraid we shall not be able to await the arrival of your letter.

All the folk at home are reasonably well. Mother has had a very heavy influenza cold, but she is on the mend again. It left her particularly weak. Ruth is also picking up quickly now that she is on holiday. We expect her to be ready to return to work in about a fortnight’s time. Keith has not yet found anything to do, though he is trying hard in interviews with business houses and by replies to advertisements.

"The two kiddies are growing
 splendidly, and it is wonderful
to see the change in them.
You would hardly know Edith —
she is growing almost
while you look at her."

The two kiddies are growing splendidly, and it is wonderful to see the change in them. You would hardly know Edith — she is growing almost while you look at her. She was very tickled the other day when she got her certificate for passing her musical examination. This, of course, will have to be framed and ready for exhibition to her friends!

The Harrisons have moved in again to their house and Phil and Edith are tearing around like a pair of lunatics. They are as happy as they can be now that they are united. George Harrison is travelling in the country and only gets home once every few weeks. However, he is happy that he has got a job. His mother and sister are also living next door, so that it is quite a family affair.

We have not heard anything fresh from Rex Baker.

You will be surprised to hear that June Carr is married. Keith came home with the story the other day. You will be more surprised to learn that she married young Russell, who was for a time a friend of Keiths. I do not know much about the marriage, but I think it occurred just within the last week or two.

I suppose you had the opportunity of seeing the Australians play cricket at Chicago. According to the cables they were there for a match or two during the past week. You may have been some distance from the City and may not have been able to make the trip. I thought that if it were possible you would strain every effort to do so.

"Conditions in America, according
to the cables in our papers,
are not improving at all.
They seem to be more
bewildering than ever. I think
 there is a better spirit abroad
in business circles in Melbourne,
but we are still a long way
from solving our difficulties.
... the time back to prosperity
will be a very long, drawnout struggle,
and changes for the better
cannot come quickly." 

Conditions in America, according to the cables in our papers, are not improving at all. They seem to be more bewildering than ever. I think there is a better spirit abroad in business circles in Melbourne, but we are still a long way from solving our difficulties. Very earnest attempts are being made to deal with the problem of unemployment and all kinds of committees of citizens, backed by the Government Departments, are doing their best to find work for folk.

The distress is very serious, especially in the Industrial suburbs. The amount of fraud in connection with sustenance orders must be tremendous, judging from the large number of folk who are being proceeded against for fraudulent dealing with sustenance orders, etc. However, the time back to prosperity will be a very long, drawnout struggle, and changes for the better cannot come quickly.

"Here in the Association we are
right up against our bank position,
and were it not for the fact
that some of our Directors
have stood by us, we would
not be able to pay current
accounts this month."

Here in the Association we are right up against our bank position, and were it not for the fact that some of our Directors have stood by us, we would not be able to pay current accounts this month. It looks as if we shall have to face the position of very drastic economies in staff and expenditure, and I imagine that within the next week or two, the Board will have to take very decided action in these respects.

The Industrial work has been kept going in a very fine way by the firms concerned, but a week or two ago we received advice from Messrs. Lloyd Bros & Maginnis that they were making changes in their relationships with the Association, and from the end of this month their Hut will drop out from the Y.M.C.A. Industrial Scheme. Fortunately they are retaining Joe Norman, the Secretary, and making him a kind of Superintendent of Works, although he will still have the responsibility of conducting the Welfare Work, Diningroom, etc. We are glad that the change will not affect him, and can understand that the firm must economise in every way open to them.

Frank Wilkinson is doing a good job with the Billiard Room. It is splendid to notice the revival of interest among the men and the way in which they are supporting Frank’s plans. He has taken hold of the job in an excellent way and has shown definite ability in promoting tournaments and increasing trade. He has a plan for monthly exhibition games by leading amateurs. We have had two of these demonstration evenings, and they have brought together a fine crowd of men, and the games have been of a high order.

"The members of the National
Committee will be visiting Bendigo
over the weekend, to see
 if they can find a way out of
Bendigo’s troubles, specially
in connection with the disposal
of the Association building."

I have not much news to pass on to you concerning the other Associations. All of them are having a rather hard run, with perhaps the exception of Ballerat, where they have been able to raise money sufficient to meet their immediate needs. The members of the National Committee will be visiting Bendigo over the weekend, to see if they can find a way out of Bendigo’s troubles, specially in connection with the disposal of the Association building. As you know, the Bendigo Association owes the National Committee about £2,000, an advance made to them years ago, and the National Committee holds a mortgage for that amount over the Bendigo building. The solvency of the National Committee is bound up in the Bendigo building, and some plan must be evolved to solve the problem both for Bendigo and the National work.

For more about Camp Manyung see the post: 

Camps Manyung and Buxton (Shoreham)

You will be pleased to hear that Miss Edith Shaw, sister of Mrs. Thomas Baker, recently sent Ivor Burge a cheque for £20 towards the completion of the second bunk house at Manyung Camp. The fellows are going down over the week end and on subsequent occasions, and hope to complete the structure within the next few weeks. This will be a great help, specially during the week end camps which Ivor is organising each month.

I had a letter the other day from Harry White. He mentioned that he had been in conversation with Dean Ames concerning yourself. Harry is going to Indianapolis as General Secretary, so that you will not have him available to visit at Chicago. Also another letter from John Cook, who is now at Bailey Island for the summer holidays.

May Glover also mentioned in a letter to the girls, that there would be a re-arrangement for married students employed at the College, in that they would be expected to live in at the College in future. This may save expense to the College and for the students.

You will receive this letter towards the end of August. By that time you will have spent about six weeks with Dean Ames. I can only express the hope that you have had a very happy time and have found the contacts you have made of very definite value to you. I know you will regard the arrangements you have made as an opportunity to demonstrate your appreciation, and I am sure you will show the Dean every gratitude for his kindly interest in you. No doubt you will also be working at your highschool subjects so as to enter school with all arrears made up, and in regular standing as a student.

"I sincerely hope you will
 be able to carry on despite
 your present difficulties. The tide
will turn a little later on,
 but one needs to be sure
of one’s ability to hang on
until that occurs. We are praying
 for you, and we believe our
Heavenly Father will help us
 to see daylight through
 the present problems."

I must close now. We all unite, my boy, in affectionate regards. I sincerely hope you will be able to carry on despite your present difficulties. The tide will turn a little later on, but one needs to be sure of one’s ability to hang on until that occurs. We are praying for you, and we believe our Heavenly Father will help us to see daylight through the present problems.

With warm love,
Yours affectionately,
Dad.

No. 39 -- 6 July 1932

It's been a year since Noel left to pursue his college adventure in the United States. George and the family miss him and are hungry for information. He wishes he could do more to help him. The solvency of the Melbourne YMCA is weighing heavily on George in this letter. He describes their financial position as "sick" and is desperately trying new measures to bring in more revenue to meet the Y's bank obligation. The concern at his job plus concern about his adult children's welfare are weighing heavily on him. His own health is taking a hard toll.

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

My dear Noel,

We did not get a letter from you by this week’s mail and I imagine it must have been because it left just at the time of your College closing exercises, consequently you would not have much time to give to letters.

In the absence of any word, we cannot answer any queries which you may have raised. At the time when your next letter arrives we will hear the latest concerning your school results and your arrangements for the summer vacation.

All the folk at home are well. Keith has had three or four days’ work with the Texas Co. and I think he still has a day or two to complete ship. He is keeping in good health but he feels his position without working for so long.

This is the most detail I have seen so far
of George describing his health history.
I was stumped on the meaning of a
"plastine poultice" as George describes.
Google revealed no clues. However,
"plaster poultice" turns up a traditional
remedy using mustard applied in poultice
form. It might be what George meant.
See: Wikipedia: Mustard plaster
and Mustard Poultice

We have not heard anything further from Rex. Baker. Joyce and Edith are both well. There is nothing new to pass on to you regarding them. Mother is also well. As you know, I have to be careful each winter since my illness two years ago. Last week I felt a good deal of pain in my chest and I stood it until Friday night, when I took to bed and stayed there until Monday morning. I feel the long rest did me good, and with the help of plastine poultices I was able to remove the pain and to get a great deal of ease as the result. By Monday I was feeling fairly well, and I am glad to say the improvement has continued; apart from fuzziness about the chest I feel quite well. My temperature went up again and I did not like the signs, but it seems as if I have beaten it this time. Naturally I must be exceedingly careful for the next couple of months. I cannot afford to have illness just now.

"Crook" appears to be an
Australian/New Zealand usage meaning
irritable or ill and unwell.

We are expecting Ruth home for her holidays in about a fortnight’s time. She has been crook again and the rest will do her a lot of good.

I saw Johnny McRae in the street this morning but did not have a chance to stop and yarn with him. He looked well. I have not seen Margaret Park for some time. Millie Harris we see frequently at Church. She seems to be in excellent fettle.

Mr. Nichol has not been able to get any additional information so far concerning the Australian Exhibit at the Chicago Fair. He has promised to follow the matter up and to let me have any information as soon as it is available.

"...unless our membership effort 

this month is successful, we will 

have hard work to find the needed 

money to meet our immediate needs.

 I am enclosing a statement which 

I prepared for Mr. Crosby which 

gives details concerning the last 

three years, and which may help 

you to understand how “sick” 

our financial position is."

At the Association we are having a Membership Campaign this month and are hoping by this means to secure a lift both in members and in finance. Last night we had a conference between our principal committeemen and the Board. There were nearly 40 present and we had quite a long discussion on our financial position and how it might be relieved. I am afraid that very few of the proposals submitted will be of immediate value to us, but some of them can be ultimately worked out and they may prove of use. We have reached the position at the Commercial Band which is full of difficulty, and unless our membership effort this month is successful, we will have hard work to find the needed money to meet our immediate needs.

I am enclosing a statement which I prepared for Mr. Crosby which gives details concerning the last three years, and which may help you to understand how “sick” our financial position is.

The new diningroom service is showing some improvement in patronage, and we are hoping this will continue. General satisfaction has been expressed by our residents and ordinary members with this change in the food service. Of course, the ordinary Cafeteria service runs as well. We have partitioned off the diningroom to make special provision for those who desire a three course meal.

The Boys’ Department figures are still mounting up. Memberships are coming in very freely. The Montague Boys’ Club is continuing to do good work; the Mothers’ Club at Montague is doing wonderful work. Out at Wardrop they have been reduced to 24 residents. This is a losing proposition and is showing a substantial deficit just now, and of course adding to the general burden.

We get many disquieting cables showing the intensity of the depression in America. We are hoping that some of these are exaggerated and that the conditions are better than they are reported to be.

If I judge the position correctly, you are likely to get this letter about the end of July. I hope you are having as good a time as can be expected under the special circumstances. We cannot help feeling that despite the difficulties, a way out may have been found for you to earn something during you vacation. It is a long spell for you to contemplate without monetary assistance.

We have nothing further to add concerning the amplifier. Keith went down to a Skating Rink at Glenferrie the other day and gave particulars to the owner, who promised to call in, but we have not seen him so far. I really do not know what to do about it. It worries me a great deal.

We are looking forward with eager anticipation to your letter. I must close now.

We all unite in our warmest love
Yours affectionately,
Dad

No. 38 -- 21 June 1932

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

My dear Noel,

"We remarked at home over
the weekend, it is just a year
since you left home. How
the time slips by!"

Your letter of May 20th reached us yesterday. Just a month on the way. Yes, we remarked at home over the weekend, it is just a year since you left home. How the time slips by!

You will have received my last letter with the enclosed few pounds, which I hope reached you safely, and was sufficient for your immediate needs. We have tried to speed up the sale of the amplifier, but so far without any definite result. I thought I had a buyer when last I wrote, but he evidently cooled off. We afterwards got a message that he had made other arrangements. Harold Thompson is prosecuting further enquiries and seems hopeful that he will be able to effect a sale. Keith also heard of a man in Glenferrie who is thinking of purchasing an amplifier for use in a skating rink, and he is following that lead up in the hope that it may bring business.

Your letter suggests that there is not much likelihood of you leaving Chicago during the summer vacation. However, it assures us that you will be able to carry on, though it would be much more satisfactory if you could earn money during the period. Perhaps Dean Ames may treat you generously after all.

"I am sorry that the outlook
for work is so bad, and
sincerely hope that your
prophesies will not be fulfilled.
It is a safe policy to think in
terms of the most difficult
situation likely to arise
and I commend you
for doing that."

A couple of letters back I gave you the information we had secured concerning the Chicago Exhibition. Mr. Nichol has not been able to get any line on it to date, but if he can dig up information at this end you can be sure I will let you have it.

I am sorry that the outlook for work is so bad, and sincerely hope that your prophesies will not be fulfilled. It is a safe policy to think in terms of the most difficult situation likely to arise and I commend you for doing that. If conditions are so bad, it is probably that there will not be a large entering class in September, therefore, there may be more work available for the present students.

Bankrupt Chicago. (1932, June 20). 

The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848-1957), p. 7. 

Retrieved February 13, 2014, from

http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article4458559

I am not sure if this is the exact article that

George sent to Noel, but it fits

the description and is probably 

the same subject matter.

I enclose a cutting from yesterday’s paper which helps us to realise how desperate conditions in Chicago must be. In addition we have had letters from Laurie Bowen which paint a doleful picture of the frightful straits to which the unemployed in Chicago are reduced. Your letter indicates that the Chicago Y is also having a desperately difficult time. We are hoping that some remedial measures will be taken by the American Government during the present summer in provision of relief works, etc. Our own Government is making great efforts in this direction and it looks as if many of those who are at present unemployed will be absorbed in the next few months. Let’s hope the same thing applies to America.

I am sorry to hear that the College is having such a bad time. Of course that is to be expected when outside conditions are so bad. Perhaps in your next letter we shall hear all about your Spring quarter examinations.

I was wondering what had happened to the parcel of books referred to in one of your letters. I quite understand that you have not been able to send them on because of the expense involved.

The Australian Eleven refers to the Australian
cricket team. Holmesdale Nitschke is Noel's
second cousin. He played two international
tests in 1931. See Wikipedia: Jack Nitschke.

I do not know anything about the itinerary of the Australian Eleven now touring America. Holmesdale Nitschke is not a member of the team. It is cheering to hear that you are keeping in good health despite the problems you are facing.

Your message to Alf. Hines and Matron will be passed on to them, and you may expect a letter from them in due season.

Now just a little home news. Mother is continuing in excellent health and so are all the others. Ruth is now temporarily employed at a small hospital in one of the Eastern suburbs. The work there is not as heavy as at the Homeopathic Hospital. I do not know how long this job will last, but probably not beyond the month of July. In any case it has been useful experience and it will keep her in touch with her work.

I'm not sure exactly which cousin the girls
would have been so eager to visit. Both the
Herbert family (first cousins) and the Willis
family (second cousins) lived in Sydney.
My guess is that it was cousin Irven Herbert,
since she gets the most mention in
previous letters.

Edith and Joyce are making plans to visit Sydney at Christmas. We tell them that lots of things are likely to happen before then, which may prevent them visiting their cousin. But that doesn't stop them from making their own plans.

I have not heard a great deal from Rex during the past few weeks. He is still in Sydney.

There was a weekend Camp over Saturday and Sunday, at “Manyung”, but the weather was so desperately cold, that I decided not to go. We are right now having some of the coldest weather we have yet experienced this year. It is certainly not weather for camping.

We are planning a membership campaign for the period July 13 to 27, and just now various meetings are being held in preparation for the event.

Wardrop House was a YMCA Hostel located
in Northcote, north of Melbourne.
See Darebin Heritage, YMCA Hostel, Northcote

Wardrop House is very low with only 22 in residence. On the five months’ work we are down about £100 in the Wardrop accounts. This is adding to our burden at the Central building.

We initiated a diningroom service for residents and others in the middle of May. This has taken on quite well among the residents but is a losing proposition financially. We may have to make a number of adjustments in the next month.

Under separate cover I have sent to you a copy of the book “Australian Birds and Blossoms”, which I thought would be useful to you; also newspapers reporting the elections in New Sough Wales. Mr. Lang was soundly thrashed in the elections.

I have also sent to you a set of reports as presented at the Board meeting last week and from these you will gather quite a lot concerning the various departments of work.

We are having a quiet drive for funds among the number of our well-to-do friends and are hoping to secure a few hundred pounds to tide us over the lean period. Last week Mr. Crosby got a contribution of £100 from one good friend. We have others whom we are approaching this week. Raising money these days is a very difficult job.

You will be interested to hear that we have brought Frank Wilkinson back on the staff to take charge of the Billiard Room. Our friend J.B. Bowman had not made a success of the supervision of the room under a part time basis, under which he was employed. It was doomed to failure from the start — in the first place because the arrangement was not good, and in the second place because the man was not suitable. Wilkinson has been on the job for a fortnight and has doubled the takings and has brought into the room a much better spirit and greatly increased patronage.

Our Educational Classes are going fairly well. We are likely to initiate correspondence courses in Accountancy, Costing, Secretarial principles, etc. etc. Another new move is the formation of a Society made up of past students in Accountancy. We will endeavour to organise a series of monthly lectures so as to retain the interest of these men and keep them in closer touch with the Association,.

I must close off now. We are hoping that your next letter will bear much better news, and that some job may have materialised which will help you in preparation for your next year’s work.

"Conditions are bad for us all,
but they must be specially
acute for you. I wish it were
possible to more adequately
help you. I can assure you
that as it is possible you will
get all the help we can give."

Conditions are bad for us all, but they must be specially acute for you. I wish it were possible to more adequately help you. I can assure you that as it is possible you will get all the help we can give.

It is quite easy for us to say that you must keep a still upper lip despite the troubles you are facing. We know you will do that. We have thought much about you during the lat few weeks as we knew what you were facing. We are confident a way out will be found for you which will show the guiding hand of our Heavenly Father. Many times we have been in difficulties but the way out has always been shown, and it will show itself in this case I feel certain.

We all unite in warmest love,
Yours affectionately,
Dad

No. 36 -- 28 May 1932

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

My dear Noel,

Your letter of April 4th came to hand yesterday. It was good to hear from you so soon. We did not anticipate there would be another mail for a week or two, but the new Matson liner “Mariposa” had made her first call here, and this has brought an additional mail. In future we shall have a direct service between Melbourne and San Francisco which means more frequent mail service.

I am sorry to hear that you have no further light on the question of employment for the summer vacation. It would be rather serious for you to be without a job, especially in view of the tremendous amount of distress already in America. There is some degree of assurance in the offer of the Binnington family, that you should assist at their farm. That of course will assure your keep during the period, but will not provide the money required for your re-entrance to the College.

"I wish it were possible for me to
send you some money but I
frankly do not know whether
that can be done at any rate
for a month or two. I have just received
 my income tax assessment, the
payments of which represent
£30 which must be found within
the next few weeks."

I wish it were possible for me to send you some money but I frankly do not know whether that can be done at any rate for a month or two. I have just received my income tax assessment, the payments of which represent £30 which must be found within the next few weeks. This, coupled with medical and dental expenses for Ruth and Keith, will keep me scratching pretty hard, but I will see what may be possible before you enter College.

I am doing my best to dispose of the amplifier, but whether we will be successful or not we cannot say.