Letters From New York
12 September 1966
Dear Mum,
Will apologise in advance for the fact that this epistle is likely to prove somewhat disjointed since I'm penning it at the office, having an engagement for dinner tonight - a la Chinese style - which will leave me no time to write when I get home. This leaves us all in the very best of health and condition and in reasonably good spirits as we're enjoying perfect weather (in anyone's language). The three eldest were packed off to school today - I guess Joan breathed a sigh of relief that the long three months are over - after a weekend that was absolutely perfect and filled up with the return of the Bartels on Saturday night.
Seems you didn't experience too much difficulty in filling up your last letter, which arrived on time last Friday, and we're always delighted to hear from you - if only to be reassured that all is well in your neck-o'-the-woods. Sorry to hear you couldn't make the semis to see Vince in action but, if he and the boys have done the right thing perhaps you may get the chance in the finals. Think I may have told you last week that two of the school teams at Panania (one of them would have been Phillip's) made the Grand Finals in their competitions (haven't yet heard how they finished up) so the young fellow's a little chagrined, of course. All in all things (R.L. wise) seem to be going as planned, in my absence, since Aust. won the international series &, from the papers you're sending, I note that St. George look like being trumps again.
Lindsay seems to have found his slot OK and very pleased to hear it. No doubt he's elated about the car and I suppose Glenn may find some uses for it too. Margaret's done all right with a shop at Bankstown but you should be experienced enough (having worked so hard for so long) to warn her to get out & enjoy the fruits of her labours before time catches up with her. Seems that dear as it is this could be a fair place to stay, what with the transport fares & hospital fees going up at home, but I reckon we could suffer these indignities. Latest figures over here suggest that a semi private ward (intermediate) over here costs the unfortunate patient (if the operation doesn't kill - the bill will) $800 plus per 7 day week. How's that? Perhaps it's true to say you're better off dead!!
Disappointed that, despite the nominal rise, you pensioners will be hit again and can only reiterate my suggestion that you should think very seriously about moving in with the Aitkens. Perhaps you & Margaret could retire together. The Bartels came back laden with presents, all round, from Auntie Bern & Nanna Rogers and so help me, you'd have thought it was Xmas. We left the gifts beside the kids' beds and, still half asleep yesterday morning they couldn't believe their eyes & wondered how the little parcels got where they did. It was rather touching and a very real connection with home! Bartels' said they enjoyed the evening at '54 and were very impressed with everyone. They had a marvellous trip back - calling in at Disneyland - and arrived in good health and spirits. Of course, we haven't yet had the chance to have a long, detailed chat with them & are eagerly looking forward to it.
The action is beginning to step up somewhat for me both at the U.N. and in my private sphere and, at work, I'm becoming involved in some pretty pricey orders. We had another Australian lad (ex Uni. comrade) out on Friday night, and took him to look over the local university on Saturday morning. Then went out to Forest Hills (with a Brisbane acquaintance) in the afternoon and, in glorious weather, saw Stolle trounce Emerson in straight sets and Newcombe "outpower" Santana in four to move into the semi-finals of the U.S. National singles (tennis) - Stolle won the final yesterday - In the midst of it all we found ourselves seated in front of another Aust. (from Croydon, Sydney) and his wife and we had to stem off a very partisan crowd cheering for the Spaniard (Santana) to get an all Australian final.
Catherine and Phillip had the afternoon out yesterday at yet another party. The Americans have a quaint, but very expensive, custom of providing gifts for all the kiddies invited to the party so you can imagine that the Dwyers will not be holding any celebrations. Anthony's still in something of a surly frame of mind - doesn't enjoy anything whilst its getting the better of him & until he masters it (something of a perfectionist I guess) and is regularly sounding off about hating this, that and the other of the American scene. In many ways he looks like he may be a problem to handle since he seems to show no penchant for listening to reason or accepting another point of view. He seems to be at a bit of a loss too for male friends about his age and, I fear, up to his level of intelligence. Michael is developing rapidly and we can now sense in all of them - with only five months gone - a movement to the American slur and speech. Joan had Jennifer along to the Dr. for an injection last week and her vital statistics now are weight 16 lbs. length 26_". She's a real tall one, giving all the cheek in the world and sitting up like a veteran. She seems to have settled down again without being bothered by the teeth but runs continuously from the nose & the other end.
Joan may have told you we've had letters from Melb. and are looking forward to Bern going down there so we can kill two birds with one stone. She hasn't gone yet there having been an illness in the family with Auntie Anne and lately one of Joan's cousins babies nearly died with Golden Staph. Since we've had no news to the contrary we assume all is well now.
Expect to be waxing all nostalgic soon as the cricket season is due to get under way down there again but am fairly busy here as I've taken on French classes. Can't bring myself to believe that it will be too easy, but have to do something to keep up with the kids and keep my mind active. The prospective Uni. studies have fallen through - evidently I wasn't up to their Masters entrance standards - but no matter, I'd virtually decided not to go if accepted, in view of the very high cost. No more news for the time being so will see you in next week's bulletin.
Lots of love & best wishes from all of us.
Your son,
Bill