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
Showing posts with label Uncle Will. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Uncle Will. Show all posts
10 August 2012
06 June 2012
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.
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.
23 February 2012
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.
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.
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.
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.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 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 |
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.
21 September 2011
No. 10 -- 3 Aug 1931
Mr. N. A. Hughes,
C/o Y.M.C.A. College,
5315 Drexel Ave.,
CHICAGO. Ill. U.S.A.
My dear Noel,
We received your letter dated 8th July and posted I presume at Honolulu. Also your diary up to July 6th. As requested we passed this around the staff folk and other friends so that they may know of the happenings on your voyage. Naturally they were pleased to hear of the record of your doings.
We were all sorry to hear that you did not have a daylight trip to Suva, but that could not be helped. Mr. Barker I think I told you in my last letter, wrote to us and gave us some details of your visit to Suva. We hope you had a good time at Honolulu. My visits to Honolulu are very fresh in my memory as I had such a remarkably good time on each occasion.
I am sorry I forget to get the letter for the Rotary Club at Chicago. I will get into touch with Mr. Hartnell, the Secretary here, and endeavour to get a letter for you.
Under separate cover we are sending the two copies of the Annual Report so that you might have one to give away if you feel so disposed. I note that you expect to change your itinerary a little as you cross Canada. You must not forget that the C.P.R. people wrote ahead so as to reserve accommodation for you. If you did not turn up, it may occasion a little kick from the hotel folk with whom reservation was arranged. I think you were wise to extend your time at Winnipeg. I hope you had a good chance to make contact with Archie Kirkpatrick.
We were all glad to hear that you had made such excellent friends on the ship. I hope these young fellows may be of some help to you in giving you wrinkles on travelling in Canada.
You will by this time have finished up at Toronto and will be turning your face towards Cleveland. I need hardly say that I hope you found the Toronto meetings very helpful. Those at Cleveland should be even more so because of the remarkable collection of young people, as well as seniors you will meet from the different nations. Such an opportunity for personal contacts should mean a great deal to you in the future. By the time this letter reached you conference will have receded into the background and you will be looking forward to your new experiences at Chicago College.
I am hoping that you made contact with a number of my own personal friends at Cleveland. Mr. F.J. Chamberlain, the National Secretary of the British Y.M.C.A., said he would be on the lookout for you as he would be attending the conference. Mr. Harry White, National Council's representative in the Foreign Division at Chicago, also wrote that he would be making contact with you at Cleveland. He had written to you personally, and also to Mr. Fred. Smith at Toronto Central, and Mr. John Geldart. These good friends should have been exceedingly useful to you.
I also had a letter from Mr. Harry Lang, who used to be National Secretary of the Y.M. in Australia, and also from Mr. Sid. Peck, of the San Francisco Y.M.C.A.; both of these men said that they would write to you personally. I hope they did.
Now just a little news of the home folk. We are all keeping very well, apart from colds which most of us have had. Joy and Keith have had very heavy colds which they have not yet been able to throw off. Ruth was home for the weekend from the Homeopathic Hospital. She seems to be enjoying her work there and likes it much better than her job at Danks. I think she will fit into the hospital work and enjoy it. She is having a pretty "lean" time financially. She will not be paid for her first month's work, and then will have to wait until the end of the second month before she draws any pay! In the meantime I have got to keep her going in pocket money. However, that is not a serious matter as her needs are not very great. Keith has not yet struck anything to do. Rex has been doing "off work" and has had three or four jobs since you left. On Saturday he told me that he had a good chance of selling your Amplifier, but of course we have nothing definite to go upon, apart from his statement.
Uncle Will was in over the weekend. He is having a particularly bad time and is making very few sales and consequently is hard up against it.
We have not heard much from the Sydney folk during the past few weeks. Little Edith has taken a great spurt with her piano playing. She has determined to sit for an examination and is now putting in 3/4 hour every morning before breakfast at the piano. I wonder if she will be able to keep it going?
Now a little about the Association. We are still having a pretty difficult time financially and there doesn't seem to be any lift in the depression. Harry Joyce finished up last Friday and we farewelled him at afternoon tea and made him a presentation. There were about 30 present. The Navy work has now to be handled by Reg. Gray, and the Matron, and the bookings are done at the front office counter. Harry Joyce, as far as I know, has no work to go to, so that he might have quite a bad time during the new few weeks. We have tried in certain directions to get him a job but without success.
Most of the departments are going well. We averaged 75% of occupancy in the Dormitory Dept. over the 6 months instead of our usual 95% to 98%.
The Suburban leaders Corps is going well with over 40 fellows enrolled. I commence a series of six talks tomorrow evening.
The Suburban Auxiliaries Plan proposed by Mr. Crosby has not developed as we had hoped it might, but some money is coming in and if a few of the special functions arranged in the future turn out trumps, we should nett a few hundreds of pounds from these events.
We had a great night here on Saturday last, when the final Basketball Games were played. There were about 200 present.
The Residents have been having some good meetings in connection with their dinner functions and there was a first-class social with the "13" club a week ago. This was quite a good affair and went off excellently.
I told you in my last letter that other reductions in salaries were contemplated. Since then there has been a further cut, and the average works out at about 25% all round. Actually in the last 11 months we have had three cuts and the total reductions in salaries represent over 33%. That of course includes those who have left the Association's employ, such as yourself and others. Despite all this reduction, we cannot make up the loss in revenue we have experienced. I think we shall probably be in the neighborhood of £1900 down on the seven months work.
We are all wondering just how you have been getting along since the conferences, and eagerly await news of your doings. I hope you will keep us fully informed.
The Wireless Club is going well. Last Thursday night they assisted the Vikings in the Picture Show and provided an excellent Amplifier to broadcast the musical part of the programme. They will be able to render very effective service in jobs of this kind. They are meeting regularly twice a week and seem to be an interested group of fellows. At the Picture Show referred to, the Vikings put on the picture "Wings" and had over 200 present.
I must finish off now, as the mail is due to close at 2:30 p.m. I can tell you my boy, that all the folk at home send their love to you. We hope you will keep us regularly informed of your doings.
Pass on my regards to Professor Foss, Dr. Dreaver, and of course Clive and May. Any of my pals whose names I gave you and who are located in Chicago, will be glad to meet you.
Let's hear how you get on as you contact with them.
Affectionately yous,
Dad
C/o Y.M.C.A. College,
5315 Drexel Ave.,
CHICAGO. Ill. U.S.A.
My dear Noel,
We received your letter dated 8th July and posted I presume at Honolulu. Also your diary up to July 6th. As requested we passed this around the staff folk and other friends so that they may know of the happenings on your voyage. Naturally they were pleased to hear of the record of your doings.
We were all sorry to hear that you did not have a daylight trip to Suva, but that could not be helped. Mr. Barker I think I told you in my last letter, wrote to us and gave us some details of your visit to Suva. We hope you had a good time at Honolulu. My visits to Honolulu are very fresh in my memory as I had such a remarkably good time on each occasion.
I am sorry I forget to get the letter for the Rotary Club at Chicago. I will get into touch with Mr. Hartnell, the Secretary here, and endeavour to get a letter for you.
Under separate cover we are sending the two copies of the Annual Report so that you might have one to give away if you feel so disposed. I note that you expect to change your itinerary a little as you cross Canada. You must not forget that the C.P.R. people wrote ahead so as to reserve accommodation for you. If you did not turn up, it may occasion a little kick from the hotel folk with whom reservation was arranged. I think you were wise to extend your time at Winnipeg. I hope you had a good chance to make contact with Archie Kirkpatrick.
 | |
| Movie poster for the 1927 film "Wings", a silent film about World War I fighter pilots and the first winner of the Academy Award for Best Picture. (Source: Wikipedia) |
You will by this time have finished up at Toronto and will be turning your face towards Cleveland. I need hardly say that I hope you found the Toronto meetings very helpful. Those at Cleveland should be even more so because of the remarkable collection of young people, as well as seniors you will meet from the different nations. Such an opportunity for personal contacts should mean a great deal to you in the future. By the time this letter reached you conference will have receded into the background and you will be looking forward to your new experiences at Chicago College.
I am hoping that you made contact with a number of my own personal friends at Cleveland. Mr. F.J. Chamberlain, the National Secretary of the British Y.M.C.A., said he would be on the lookout for you as he would be attending the conference. Mr. Harry White, National Council's representative in the Foreign Division at Chicago, also wrote that he would be making contact with you at Cleveland. He had written to you personally, and also to Mr. Fred. Smith at Toronto Central, and Mr. John Geldart. These good friends should have been exceedingly useful to you.
I also had a letter from Mr. Harry Lang, who used to be National Secretary of the Y.M. in Australia, and also from Mr. Sid. Peck, of the San Francisco Y.M.C.A.; both of these men said that they would write to you personally. I hope they did.
Now just a little news of the home folk. We are all keeping very well, apart from colds which most of us have had. Joy and Keith have had very heavy colds which they have not yet been able to throw off. Ruth was home for the weekend from the Homeopathic Hospital. She seems to be enjoying her work there and likes it much better than her job at Danks. I think she will fit into the hospital work and enjoy it. She is having a pretty "lean" time financially. She will not be paid for her first month's work, and then will have to wait until the end of the second month before she draws any pay! In the meantime I have got to keep her going in pocket money. However, that is not a serious matter as her needs are not very great. Keith has not yet struck anything to do. Rex has been doing "off work" and has had three or four jobs since you left. On Saturday he told me that he had a good chance of selling your Amplifier, but of course we have nothing definite to go upon, apart from his statement.
Uncle Will was in over the weekend. He is having a particularly bad time and is making very few sales and consequently is hard up against it.
We have not heard much from the Sydney folk during the past few weeks. Little Edith has taken a great spurt with her piano playing. She has determined to sit for an examination and is now putting in 3/4 hour every morning before breakfast at the piano. I wonder if she will be able to keep it going?
Now a little about the Association. We are still having a pretty difficult time financially and there doesn't seem to be any lift in the depression. Harry Joyce finished up last Friday and we farewelled him at afternoon tea and made him a presentation. There were about 30 present. The Navy work has now to be handled by Reg. Gray, and the Matron, and the bookings are done at the front office counter. Harry Joyce, as far as I know, has no work to go to, so that he might have quite a bad time during the new few weeks. We have tried in certain directions to get him a job but without success.
Most of the departments are going well. We averaged 75% of occupancy in the Dormitory Dept. over the 6 months instead of our usual 95% to 98%.
The Suburban leaders Corps is going well with over 40 fellows enrolled. I commence a series of six talks tomorrow evening.
The Suburban Auxiliaries Plan proposed by Mr. Crosby has not developed as we had hoped it might, but some money is coming in and if a few of the special functions arranged in the future turn out trumps, we should nett a few hundreds of pounds from these events.
We had a great night here on Saturday last, when the final Basketball Games were played. There were about 200 present.
The Residents have been having some good meetings in connection with their dinner functions and there was a first-class social with the "13" club a week ago. This was quite a good affair and went off excellently.
I told you in my last letter that other reductions in salaries were contemplated. Since then there has been a further cut, and the average works out at about 25% all round. Actually in the last 11 months we have had three cuts and the total reductions in salaries represent over 33%. That of course includes those who have left the Association's employ, such as yourself and others. Despite all this reduction, we cannot make up the loss in revenue we have experienced. I think we shall probably be in the neighborhood of £1900 down on the seven months work.
We are all wondering just how you have been getting along since the conferences, and eagerly await news of your doings. I hope you will keep us fully informed.
The Wireless Club is going well. Last Thursday night they assisted the Vikings in the Picture Show and provided an excellent Amplifier to broadcast the musical part of the programme. They will be able to render very effective service in jobs of this kind. They are meeting regularly twice a week and seem to be an interested group of fellows. At the Picture Show referred to, the Vikings put on the picture "Wings" and had over 200 present.
I must finish off now, as the mail is due to close at 2:30 p.m. I can tell you my boy, that all the folk at home send their love to you. We hope you will keep us regularly informed of your doings.
Pass on my regards to Professor Foss, Dr. Dreaver, and of course Clive and May. Any of my pals whose names I gave you and who are located in Chicago, will be glad to meet you.
Let's hear how you get on as you contact with them.
Affectionately yous,
Dad
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