No. 46 -- 13 September 1932

Hearing from Noel twice in two weeks seems to have relaxed George a little more, as the tone of this letter feels much more conversational. It's fun to hear the note of sarcasm that comes through when he comments about the "fairly short" miles the women must have walked on their stay in Tremont. But, as ever, he wishes he could help his children more during these financially depressed times.

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 August 12th arrived this week. We were very delighted to hear of the the splendid trip you had away with the members of Dean Ames' family.

Noel had spent the summer helping out
the dean of the Chicago Y College
at his home in Wisconsin, presumably
his farm near Brooklyn, Wisc.,
which is south of Madison.

"Dean Ames" was
Dr. John Q. Ames (1877-1959).
I found an obituary for him
from the Monroe Evening Times
dated 5 March 1959. It said in part:

"A native of the Brooklyn area.
Dr. Ames lived on the family farm
until he was 21 years old when he
joined the federal civil service
in the Philippines. He served as
a stenographer for President
William Howard Taft who was
commissioner for the islands at that time.
Later he became ill and was transferred
to a hospital at Shanghai, China, where he
became interested in YMCA work,
and following his recovery he became
secretary of the YMCA in Shanghai,
Moscow, New Haven, Conn.,
and South Bend, Ind.
Dr. Ames traveled tens of thousands
of miles during his lifetime. He became
dean of George Williams in 1919
and served until 1932 when he retired
and returned to Brooklyn. ...
Despite his many years as an educator,
college administrator and attorney,
Dr. Ames said he considered
one of his greatest accomplishments
was in producing 132 bushels
of corn per acre on his farm
following retirement."

It must have been a wonderful trip and I can understand how thoroughly you would enjoy it. The opportunity of seeing so much of the State of Wisconsin was also a wonderful thing for you. The probability is you would never have had a similar opportunity under ordinary circumstances. We followed you trip on the map you were thoughtful enough to send and in that way entered into it as far as we possibly could. We can quite understand that words would fail to describe the beauty of the Lake district and of the wonderful number of Lakes it seems to contain. Frankly, when I looked over the map and saw the patches of blue which indicated Lakes, I was amazed that the number. Now it helps one to understand the way in which the American Associations are able to have such splendid camping sites with such a multitude of Lakes to select from.

Another thing which amazes us a great deal is the comparative smallness of the cost of such a trip. Here in Australia a trip of that kind would have run into many pounds. I am sure all the members of the family envy you the wonderful trip you had.

Mother and the girls were away for a week at Tremont and had a thoroughly happy time. They report that in the days that they were there they walked somewhere in the neighborhood of 56 miles. I imagine that some of those miles must have been fairly short ones for them to have covered such a distance in such a comparatively short period. In addition to that the weather was anything but good, and they must have had some wild days in the hills if the weather in the City is an indication of what might have happened in the hills. However, they have all greatly benefited by the change and Ruth in particular seems to have put on weight again and is looking much like her old self again.

"They report that in the days
that they were there they walked
somewhere in the neighborhood
of 56 miles. I imagine that
some of those miles must have been
fairly short ones for them to
have covered such a distance
in such a comparatively short period."

I am happy to say that I have managed to stave off any further cold and have had no further evidence of the trouble I had for a few days in the earlier part of the winter.

Keith and Ruth are still out of work. Keith has had a few days' work with the Texaco Company, but apart from that nothing at all.

I was glad to notice in your letter a reference to Mr. Norman Weston's offer. I sincerely hope that will eventuate for you, as it will help to largely solve your own difficulties of self support.

Thanks you for sending the pamphlet which describes the new arrangements for students at the College. It looks as if it will make the position considerably easier for the men who are working their way through school.

In my last letter I told you that we had started work for unemployed boys. The last fortnight has shown great possibilities in the service we have initiated. Last week we had over 200 different boys in to a programme of pictures, gymnasium work, and a swim in the pool. This week we varied it by having a short lecture period and we also took a census of the fellows who would like to engage in some branch of educational work. This indicates to us distinct possibilities in the way of groups of an educational character, and I think we shall not have much difficulty in finding useful instructors who will help the boys to profitably fill up their leisure time in preparation for a job ahead.

You will be interested to learn that Mr. Crosby has made a conditional offer of a gift of £500 towards our deficit, providing the Association gets behind a big united movement to raise the balance required to clear the Association of debt on this year's current account. In addition to that  Mr. McKean has come to light with a further promise of £100. Roy Nevile and I have been out collecting from a number of business firms and we were successful in securing £50 a year from a number of them for three years.

Rod Macdonald who used to be in the National Office, has been engaged to organise a big effort with the object of bringing all sections of the Association into a combined scheme. In this way we hope to raise the money to accept the challenge submitted in Mr. Crosby's offer.

We had a letter from Charlie Jutsum describing his impressions of his job at Broken Hill. He seems to think there is very definite possibilities for excellent work at Broken Hill, although at the present moment the programme is practically a minus quantity.

George Briggs lost his mother a week or two ago by death. This will probably make some little change in George's plans as far as his home relationships are concerned, but I do not think it will in any way interfere with his plan to go to America next year.

I had a letter from Sid Peck of the Men's Hotel at San Francisco, in which  he said that he would be only too happy to help you at any time you required advice concerning American conditions. I do not think that Sid can do anything in the way of offering you work, in fact that would be a very expensive business for you and for him, but I think that you might find him a useful man if there are any knotty problems that arise on which you would like advice from someone who is in the States.

"I wish, my boy, that we could
 send you money, but frankly
we are finding conditions to be
just as much as we can handle,
and in view of this while
we are anxious to help you
in every way we possibly can,
we do not see daylight ahead
to any great extent.
In view of this we hope that you
will take the will for the deed,
much as we would love to send you
all the help we possibly could."

By next mail I will be sending to you a copy of the new book on "Australian Animals" similar to the one on "Australian Birds" which I sent you some time ago. I am hoping that this may be of some use to you in the talks you may give on Australian conditions.

This letter should reach you just about the time you are settling into your new year's work at school. You know, Noel old fellow, that we are very interested in all your doings, and that it is our desire that you should make good in every way. We know that you will settle into your job despite the difficulties you are facing, and that you will give to it your very best interest, and with a determination to win success in the work that you have set out to do. We sincerely hope that while we are not in the position to give you much in the way of real assistance ourselves, that it will be possible for you to find a way though your financial difficulties. I wish, my boy, that we could send you money, but frankly we are finding conditions to be just as much as we can handle, and in view of this while we are anxious to help you in every way we possibly can, we do not see daylight ahead to any great extent. In view of this we hope that you will take the will for the deed, much as we would love to send you all the help we possibly could.

Mother is keeping very well, and so are the other members of the family. Joyce and Edith are splendid, Keith is looking exceedingly well despite the long worrying time he has had without work, and as for myself, am feeling in excellent condition.

We all unite in sending you our warmest love,
Yours as ever,
Dad

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. 28 -- 17 Feb 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 dated January 9th which you sent by Air Mail to the Coast, reached us the other day. We were very delighted to get a letter so soon after the last.

I know you will find physiology a difficult subject at the first, but it is surprising how simple the subject can become if you have it constantly in mind and revise it by thinking of your own body, its various organs and their functions. I used to repeat to myself the substance of what I had studied in the text book and apply it to my own body, and in this way got an idea of the relationship of the various organs which I found comparatively easy to memorise.

I am glad that you have such an excellent instructor in English. That is a subject that demands most careful handling on the part of the instructor, for it to become really interesting. Very frequently it can become dry and unattractive -- everything depends on its treatment.

We are all glad to know that you have satisfactorily completed the first quarter's work.

I think in my last letter I asked you to give me some idea of the grading you had received in each of the subjects.

Friar's Balsam medicine bottle,
from the collection of the
Powerhouse Museum in
Sydney, Australia.
Accessed 24 November 2012.

You will need to watch that cold. I know what Chicago is like in the winter and you would be wise to take every precaution to get rid of it as quickly as you can. There is nothing better than to steam your chest and throat by inhaling Friar's Balsam or Eucalyptus, or a similar medicant, in boiling water.

I have not had a chance to see George Briggs, but will ask him to let me see the letter regarding financial needs.

I was interested in your account of the Fraternities. May I express the hope that you will not give Clive Glover cause to feel that you are becoming independent of his help. You know quite well that a great deal of your present work has been brought to you through Clive's kindly offices, and I sincerely trust you will give him cause to feel that you are  grateful to him for what he has done. However, the matter of the Fraternity you join is your own affair, but I hope it will not mean that the Fraternity will occupy too much of your time and keep you away from your college work. It is quite easy to become so thoroughly interested in the social side of college life, that you neglect the very necessary revision and preparation for class work.

I noticed in the handbook that a modified type of warning is given to new students that they should not become too closely related to the Fraternities or feel that they were "out of the swim" if they had not been invited to one or other of them. You must also watch the question of costs on the social side of college life.

What a lot of fool stunts are put over in the American Colleges. Surely to goodness there is much more in life than to gather up a matchbox full to toe-nails!

The summer vacation will need careful thought on your part. Frankly I was hoping that you would take in some time at Lake Geneva, not only because of the credits you can obtain, but also because of the opportunity it gives you to have a very close relationship with many of the leaders of the Movement, and my own judgment is that if it is possible for you to get a job at Lake Geneva, you should take it. Presumably you will get your board and residence and tuition while you are at the summer school. That is all to the good and can be looked upon as savings in that you may not be called upon to expend any sums of money for self-support. The balance of your time I think you should spend, if possible, in work that will enable you to save money in preparation for your next year's college work. You know how necessary it is to have a certain amount of money at the beginning of each term, and in view of this I would urge you to give up the idea of a trip to Los Angeles, and devote your-self to preparation for your next year's work. Not that we would desire you to slave from morning till night, but we think it is important that you should earn all the money you possibly can, especially in view of the depressed conditions in America, which seemingly are likely to get worse instead of better. You must think in terms of "preparing for the rainy day."

At any rate this summer I feel you should give to earning money, and then perhaps after you have become better established in your school work, it might be possible in the succeeding summer to spend time sight-seeing and travelling.

Thank you for the message from Andrew Garrod. I also had a letter from him this mail, in which he stated that he had received a Christmas card from you from Chicago, but that you had not given any address. I imagine he must have located the address or else he could not have written to you as you reported. The kiddies have written to Dorothy Garrod, on several occasions, and will be doing so again shortly.

I was interested in the cutting you forwarded concerning the protest on the part of the hotel proprietors in Chicago, about the Y.M.C.A. having departed from its character building work to enter the hotel business. You know quite well that the Association's explanation is quite valid. If it is true that we make money on our residential sections, it is only that we might be in a position to render more effective service in our programme or in non-remunerative departments. As far as we are concerned it would be impossible for us to carry on our work in the Boys' Department for instance, if we did not make a substantial profit on our residential section. Of course there is a difference between the Melbourne situation in comparison with that of Chicago, but speaking generally I think the argument I have advanced is unassailably sound.

I have not anything further to report concerning home conditions. Everything is going quite well. Ruth spent last week at home as she had a very heavy cold, and the hospital granted her extension of leave so that she might get rid of it. I think in my last letter I told you that she was "peeved" because she could not attend Millie Harris's 21st birthday. This has all been put right, as Millie held her birthday party on Monday evening which was Ruth's night off, so she and Keith went along and had a good time.

Keith's job is still holding, but we do not know for how long. Joyce and Edith, of course, send their love, and when your letters arrive you can be sure they are full of questions regarding Chicago and your doings.

We are expecting Mr. Crosby back from Tasmania this week. We will be glad to have him on the job again. We are to have the annual meeting on the 25th and I am pleased to report that we have been successful in securing one or two new Directors who should be a decided acquisition to our work.

Mother's cold is practically better again, although she is feeling a little depressed that it is hanging around for so long.

I have not heard a word from Clive for months past. Tell him I would welcome a line when he has a few minutes to spare.

This might be one of the "snaps" enclosed with this letter.
It was taken over the previous holidays at Camp Manyung.
Joyce and Edith and Mother are in the front row,
George (Dad) and Kath Lilford are in the back.

I heard yesterday that there is a possibility that Archie Moses, who went to India for us about three years ago, is likely to be sent to America for training by the Indian National Council. In a letter to Trainor, he asked whether any arrangement could be made for him to get part time work at the Chicago Y. I am sure it would be a nice thing for you to drop him a line. His address is A. Henderson Moses, C/o Y.M.C.A., Bombay, India. It would make him feel that there were one or two Australians who would be glad to welcome him should he go to Chicago Y College. Of course, you had better be careful what you say about this in the meantime, as presumably the whole matter is only in its early stages and may not come off.

I must close now as I must run off to attend a meeting of the Rotary Club Boys' Work Committee.

All unite, my boy, in sending you our warmest love and hope that you will be able to throw off your cold, and give undivided attention to your work.

Yours affectionately,
Dad.

Enclosed -- Snaps 2
Material in Aboriginal Customs & Wit.

By the way -- Kath mentioned she has not had any letters since before Xmas!!!

This is the first indication that all is not well in Noel's relationship with
Kath Lilford. George will usually write about Kath from now on in
a hand-written post-script, since Kath is so closely affiliated with the
YMCA and George's typist, Dorrie Yates, is friends with Kath.

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. 8 -- 9 July 1931

Mr. N.A. Hughes (of  Melbourne, Australia)
C/o Central Y.M.C.A.
2200 Prospect Avenue,
CLEVELAND. Ohio. U.S.A.

My dear Noel,

Your two letters from Sydney and Auckland reached us safely, also the wire which you forwarded just prior to sailing. Naturally we were glad to hear that you had had such a thoroughly happy time in Sydney and that the Herberts and the Willis's gave you so much of their time.

I am very delighted to know that you were met at the station and that right through, the folk in Sydney were cordially helpful. It is also cheering to know that the "Y" folk looked after you so well.

We quite expected that you would have a rough trip across to New Zealand. There happened to be a very heavy Nor'easterly blow which we knew you could not escape. However, we were pleased to learn that you successfully negotiated the trip without seasickness.

I am sorry to hear that Alec. Moodie had such a bad time, but he quite expected the sea would upset him. In a letter I got from him he said he hoped you were a good sailor as you would then be able to look after him!

You evidently did not have many on the ship with only 26 in third class.

I hope you had a good time at Auckland, Suva, Honolulu, and at the other places you called at. Naturally, we are awaiting eagerly the news of your experiences at each of these places. I am afraid the account of your eating on ship board indicates that the Union Company are not likely to make anything out of one passenger at any rate -- Perhaps between Moodie and yourself, it is about equalised.

I was very glad to hear that you were able to get some solid study in on the way over to New Zealand, and hope that you have been able to continue that with some degree of regularity.

Under separate cover I am sending to you a copy of a letter from Edith. I think you will be able to follow it all right. Joyce will be writing to you shortly and of course so will the others, as soon as we get your new address.

You will be surprised to learn that Ruth has already received her call to the Homeopathic Hospital. She leaves business today, and commences at the hospital on Wednesday next, the 15th inst. She will spend the few days completing the making of her outfit and getting everything in readiness to move out.

By the way you did not say whether you had received the watch I posted to the "Niagara". I registered it so as to be sure of its reaching you.

Miss Pollock has given me the names of a couple of her relatives who are in California. I am enclosing the names so that if you ever get the chance of making contact with them, I hope you will do so. At any rate, I think it would be a good thing for you to drop her a line C/o Ballarat College, Ballarat, thanking her for her thoughtfulness. It is possible that Miss Pollock will be making her way towards America next year.

I had a short bout of illness and was away from the office for a week and a half. The old trouble of last year asserted itself and I felt the wisest thing was to go to bed, and the Doctor confirmed the wisdom of having done so, otherwise I might have had another bout of pneumonia. I came back to work on Monday and am steadily gathering strength. I lost a good deal of weight again, but that is to be expected.

Keith has not been able to secure anything so far, although he has been following up a few advertisements and making contacts with firms. Mr. and Mrs. Harrison are still with us and this makes the fifth week, I think, they have been staying with us. He has not been able to land anything yet, but has one or two prospects which he hopes will t urn out alright.

We have not been able to sell the amplifier. Jack Walsh had one enquiry, but the fellow sheered off and did not come down to brass tacks. I know how important it is that we should dispose of this machine as quickly as possible, and you can be sure I will do my best to see that it is sold, and the proceeds forwarded to you.

Rex finished up at the Radio Corporation last Friday, and procured another job at the Eclipse Radio, where he was testing speakers. He has just called in to say that he was paid off this morning, so that he is again out of a job.

I have had several letters from some of my American friends, advising me of the desire to help you secure a job immediately after the conferences. John Cook has I think already written to you C/o the Association at Vancouver, outlining the steps he took to endeavour to help you. I hope something may have eventuated from his overtures. I should judge that there will not be a great deal of hope among the Eastern Associations, but something may have eventuated from his letters.

I also had a letter from Laurie G. Bowen, Boys' Work Director, Lincoln-Belmont Department, (Y.M.C.A., 3333 North Marshfield Ave., Chicago, in which he states -- "it may be that we can use him here  for a short period in August, and then send him out to camp with some of our boys for a period or two. College does not open until about the 3rd week in September so that we will have to hustle around and see if something can be secured for him through September. The employment situation in Chicago for the past year has been terrifically bad, and a good number of men had to leave College because of retrenchment plans made necessary by the abnormal depression. We have one graduate in our building who is only too glad to get a job as night Secretary at the paltry sum of 100 dollars a month. His duties consist of a period on the desk, followed by a period on janitor work, and supervision of the boiler room". Laurie ways that he will write you at Vancouver.

Mr. Ralph W. Cooke, the Assistant Secretary of the Young Men's Christian Association of Chicago, in a letter dated June 5th, said -- "We will be very glad to serve him in any way possible. On account of our enforced staff reduction, we may find it difficult to place him in the Association, but I will ask Mr. Hatherway and Mr. Pierrel of our General Office to give the matter attention in the hope that we can be of some service. Please say to your son that I shall be most happy to meet him."

Fred J. Smith, of Central Branch, 40 College Street, Toronto, said -- "I assure you I will do everything I can to make his stay in Toronto pleasant, and if there is any possibility of having him work in for a month or so on our desk, it will be done."

Mr. R. L. Ewing, Activities Director, William Sloane House (Y.M.C.A.), 356 West 34th Street, New York, wrote under date of June 4th. "I am immediately taking up the matter with the Personnel Secretary, New York City, and have written to Mr. Glen. O. Pierrel, the Activities Secretary at Chicago. I will also send a letter to the General Secretary at Cleveland, Mr. A.G. Knebel."

I have sent you these quotations, so that you might understand the situation, and that overtures are being made on your behalf. If I might express an opinion, I hope it might be possible for you to get a job in the Chicago Associations as that will not necessitate additional expenditure in travelling.

Then again, if you could get a job in Chicago, it would help you to become used to the conditions prior to your College work, which will be of distinct advantage, and it might also be of further assistance to you in securing a permanent job at one or other of the Associations.

Matters here at the Melbourne Association are moving along much the same as before, although there is no change in the financial situation. To the end of June, we have gone back £1720 which is, of course, far worse than any experience we have had hitherto. There are sure to be further reductions in some of the salaries, including my own, but this we cannot avoid in view of the difficult situation the association is facing.

All the folk at home are well, I am thankful to say. Mother is keeping up splendidly, although this morning when I left she was feeling a little out of gear, but I hope that will pass away quickly.

I must close now. You will be finishing the last of the Conferences shortly after you receive this letter. I sincerely hope that the way has been open for you to fit into a temporary job. I know it will mean everything to you to get a good start.

I have not communicated with the College, but I presume you have done so. I you have not, I would suggest that you write them as soon as you know something pretty definite with regard to your movements. There will be a number of matters which, of course, will be necessary for them to attend to in receiving new students, and I think you should keep them fully advised.

I have not heard from Clive Glover, but hope that he also has been on the lookout for a job for you.

You will soon finish up with all the excitement and the big meetings, and will have to face the future as a single individual. I know, my boy, that this will be a time of particular difficulty. If no job turns up, I would suggest that you make your way straight to Chicago and keep in close touch with Clive Glover, who may be able to advise you the best lines of procedure.

Pass on my regards to Alec. Moodie, and of course to any of the men whose names I have given you and you have met during the Conference. I am just aching for additional news, and will be very glad to hear that everything has worked out satisfactorily for the staring of you College work.

You know our love is yours. We are all praying that you might be wisely guided in any difficulties you may meet.

With warm love from the family and from myself,
Dad