Petone, Wellington
Sunday July 7th 1906
My dear Father
It is quite a long time since I last wrote to you, the Frisco mail which should have left Wellington last Thursday was delayed and does not go till Tuesday so I have had a period of rest from letter writing lately. Many thanks for your long letter written just before your visit to Deal. Since that came I have heard from Mother. I am sorry Uncle George had another attack when you were there but it is a good thing it was not so bad as the first. I hope he has had no more. It was nice your being able to see the last of the Eights races at Oxford. Arthur is home I suppose long ere this and enjoying his hard earned holiday. Uncle Dilnot was asking today when he will hear his results. I was not quite sure how soon they come out. I hope Mother had a nice little visit to Eastbourne and to Richmond and that she persuaded Aunt Polly to go down to Badsey with her. I am very sorry Oliver Jelfs was ill again on his return from Weston – they are very unfortunate. I very much wish I could know the home news without having to wait so long. I am so anxious to know if George’s plans and also Kathleen’s have taken any definite form yet, however we shall soon be getting more recent news on our way home. Six weeks yesterday till we start for Sydney the time seems to be flying. I shall be quite as glad to get home again as you will all be to get me there! though I shall be very sorry to leave N.Z. after the good time I have had here. Aunt Lottie has already begun to discuss packing and other details of travelling in view of our leaving but she no longer worries about these things - at least if she does the worrying doesn’t prevent her looking uncommonly well and getting quite stout. They say N.Z. air always makes people either stout or thin and I have certainly also put on weight since I got here. I told you I think that the Gilpins came out here to dine while we were at New Plymouth. I was sorry to miss them. Uncle Dilnot and the others seem to have thought them very pleasant – we have heard nothing more of them since they went to Auckland. I was very glad that Mr Gillow of Westport came over to Wellington and so Aunt Lottie was able to see him here the other day instead of our going to Westport. He seemed very pleasant and was glad to have a good talk with Aunt Lottie. His daughter and son-in-law whom we saw in Wellington on Friday were also very friendly. She said she was glad for us not to be going to Westport. She said the weather there is so bad that it quite gets on one’s nerves and there is nothing to see there except the mines. Aunt Lottie said she told you in her letter already posted that I was going to the Riddiford’s dance, there was a talk of it, but after all Birdie did not care to ask for an invitation for another lady as they seemed likely to be short of men. The other dance Dolly and I went to was very enjoyable and there may possibly be another they can take me to before we leave.
I wonder how Boo got on in the “matric” no doubt Judy was very glad to get him home for a few days. Tell Judy I was very glad Whitey was not lost altogether, that would have been a calamity. I hope there has been no more diphtheria in the village. I must now write to Jack. I will enclose some sheets of diary in his letter so if you have to forward it to him you must open it first. Much love to you all.
Your loving daughter
May E Sladden
There is a letter for George inside Kath’s envelope. I mention this in case she should be away and he at home.
