Joy Clifton to H A Hall, 28 February 1929
| Title: | Joy Clifton to H A Hall, 28 February 1929 |
|---|---|
| Identifier: | archives.org.au/Joy_Clifton_to_H_A_Hall,_28_February_1929 |
| Parent item: | |
| Storage location: | |
| Date: | |
| Authors: | Joy Hannah Emma Margaret Clifton (née Hall) |
| Source: | |
| Format and extent: | |
| License: |  This work is free of known copyright restrictions.
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| Related people: | Joy Hannah Emma Margaret Clifton (née Hall) · Harold Aubrey Hall |
| Related places: | Yundurup |
| Keywords: | Transcriptions by Ian Berryman |
| Description: |
File: Joy_1929_02_28.doc File:Joy_1929_02_28.pdf
Typed 21 April 2012
Joy Clifton to H A Hall, 28 February 1929
Transcription
Yundurup
West Murray
via Pinjarrah
February 28th 1929
Dear Aubrey
I’ve been going to answer Margaret’s letter ever so many times, but generally get the “Blue Devils”, & no one gets a letter but Loulou. Ernest wants me to look up some information re the family at the Public Library, but I think you will know more about it, so will send his letter to you, to see if you know anything about it. Will you try & give me just a very brief a/c of the arrival of the Halls in 29th? & send it soon. Amy is in touch with [?H] Colebatch & I don’t see why the old pioneer grandfather should be left out. I suppose you know they lived on board the sloop of War Emily Taylor stranded in Fremantle? (as they could not get a house).
I may be going to stay with cousin Amy next month, if she can have me, & could have a chance of fixing up something. She I think has photos which would be most useful & the original documents, an application for land by H Edward Hall, all the ages of the family, servants, apprentices, implements, china & silver value, £500, signed by Peter Broun.
We saw Constance’s name in the junior list, she passed in so many good subjects, it was hard to flop in English, but could she go again this year? Loulou saw Winnie Hall in Perth, she asked her to call. They are building a house in West Perth, according to the paper. Wilfred Pearse is to be married on the 9th of April to Miss Roberts, her father owned a mine at Meekatharra, pots of money, but the Gillams do not seem very enthusiastic. I saw Wilfred, but his fiancée didn’t get introduced some how at New Year. Buzz & Frank Rhodes Farmer are both in Cottesloe, Frank writes for the West & is going Home soon, Buzz is with West too & has had a great world tour — they seem very go-ahead men.
Have you heard of Lily’s engagement to Eric Wellard? son of Pierse Wellard & grandson of John Wellard, who knew our Father. They have been here, I think he is quite likeable, seems generous & I don’t think he will run a steam roller over his wife, if she won’t see eye to eye with him. Anyway Ger is very proud & happy about it all & is being very generous re the trousseau. The wedding is to be on the 23rd of March (evening) at St Mary’s South Perth & afterwards a little reception at the Parish Hall. Loulou is making a gown for me. Ger is killing two birds at one aim, giving Lil away & seeing the English cricketers too. Mr Patrick is to marry them. I’m glad it is all fixed up so conveniently. Eric wanted to be married in the Presbyterian Church, but it was with a little remark I made about it “being the bride’s privilege to be married where she liked”, I think it was vetoed. Lil said she would prefer a Registry office. Only Lily’s friends & Eric’s, & a few relations, Lil does not want the Cecils asked, I don’t know how it will be, as Cousin Cecil is Eric’s uncle, his mother was Bella Clifton, Cecil’s sister. That is why Ger likes it, as Bella was a great friend of his. I’m not going to grumble about the expense, although the trousseau & tea will hit pretty hard, Ger has been very harsh in the past to Lily. Anyway I’m not worrying about who they ask. Goodnight dear old man my head is aching so will go off to the tent.
The Gillams make life more endurable, when they are here; but it seems a pity he is spending so much money, when Lulu hates it all so. Electric light plant, wireless & frigidaire ice machine, speed boat, 2 engines, a yacht & a dinghy, much building.
Lulu has had a sick time all the family with mumps, so our outings have been limited to about 2 weeks, I say, a Mr Thompson from Elder’s, has been staying with them, he travels all through the north, (Financial Advisor). He said he knew you.
Henry Gillam has been very ill, thought he was “going out”, he is going to Albany, then North for the winter. Arthur Gillams are arriving from Melbourne per Otranto, on their way Home, Sam’s waiting to see them next month.
Cousin Cecil had a bad illness at Australind, pneumonia I think, but thank God he is back at home again. I love the dear old man. I would so like to come up for the winter, it would be easier, now Loulou has a kind of 2nd Mother in Mrs Darker, but fear this wedding is going to [?steam] the exchequer.
I would like to see you so much, but I will find out about passage money, while in Perth. I don’t want you to write to Ger because it will do no good, but if you could talk him into the idea of giving me a home again & live in a more rational way, you are tactful, & would not fly into a paddy like me, or weep floods of tears in secret, all very foolish but self suppression must have an outlet, & sometimes I think God has forsaken me, my prayers so often help (or seem to) others. I know this is the last year of payments on the house.
I believe he is paying off a debt on his life Insurance, but I think there may be something over, we could perhaps get a little home, at Canning Bridge or Como, & Loulou could be with me, & some hope of a garden & home comforts, you know, what this camp is like, & we live in the boat, because it is so comfortless & I was so weary of Ger being a kind of odd job man for Tathams. I’ve been just giving you a few tips. We have not the same home even as a Japanese Fisherman. Ger always says “it is better than going to the Old Men’s Home”. But I think this lazy life appeals to him now, & he does not want anything better. He talks of trying to buy this land, but Tathams won’t sell they say, & this camp goes to them, so you see what a bad wicket we are on. All my belongings at Bunbury or Cottesloe. I feel so ashamed of the way we exist, if I could grow gooseberries or something, but it is so hopeless, everything dies for want of water.
He would not even try for the Sec of the Cricket Association at £400, said it was not enough & too much worry. He is too much a sufferer for me to leave him to his fate, so I pray God will help me soon.
Much love dear one, I do so need the loving advice of a strong man.
Your loving sister
Joy M Clifton
