S.S. Wimmera
(Friday) 15 November 1912
My darling Sweetheart
I have not gone to Rotorua after all. I thought matters over very carefully & decided to get on with my trip & am rather glad I have come this way as the trip is more in the nature of a picnic that anything else. However to resume the tale from Monday last when I had to finish in a hurry. The afternoon was spent in packing our samples & at night we both went down to see the Sydney boat come in really to see if any competition were on board.
Later we had a shooting match in which I was badly beaten.
Tuesday morning I found three or four fresh customers & had nice long interviews with them all.
Fortunately they were not open to buy anything otherwise I should have had to reopen my cases but the result of the interviews & conversations will bring business.
After lunch one of our customers took us out for a nice long walk. We ferried across the harbour & eventually after nearly an hours ride landed & commenced our walk. We were all like a lot of schoolboys let loose & the fun we had was splendid..
It was all our customer’s land we were walking over & the scenery in places was magnificent especially one gully we walked through. A few minutes later we came across a lot of dried furze which was utterly useless to the estate & after pointing out to Mr Bell the folly of keeping it there we fired it & watched it blaze. It gave us a very faint idea of what a bush fire would be like. Our fire swept along & left everything bare in its track & for all I know it may still be burning. We walked about eight miles & saw him safely on his way home before we returned for dinner. After dinner the ladies & gentlemen staying in the hotel (which by the way is one of the most comfortable I have stayed in) would insist on me playing for them. I acceded to their request for a few minutes until I got tired & then Orr & myself because I was feeling tired & couldn’t stand any heavy music or problem plays.
Wednesday morning was spent in going round & saying good bye to all the customers & they all wished me to come out again as they appreciate a man who can talk calicoes to them. I said I would think it over but pointed out that I had a girl waiting for me at home but they brushed that objection on one side by saying "Bring her with you next time" m’yes(?) very nice – will they stand the expense though. In common parlance I.D.T.
Well anyway we got down to the boat & sailed at four o’clock. I was introduced to a girl on board who is very musical, At night by the merest accident she happened to be sitting at the same table for dinner. I had not conversed with her at all up to then nor did I do at dinner except one or two commonplace remarks.
After dinner Orr begged me to go to the piano & I didn’t know why but I went & he told me afterwards. She had been telling the tale about her musical abilities & Orr found out that she could not play for nuts & he wanted me to take her down a peg or two. I think he was an unkind wretch. Anyway the girl & I are quite friendly but she will not play for me.
Thursday morning we called at two places but were not allowed to land at the first place. At the second port, Gisborne, we were allowed on shore for 5 hours. After lunch Orr & self landed & had a good look round. Just for a lark I cabled the firm to send me some patterns & I can imagine them all puzzling their brains as to where Gisborne is & what I am doing there. I thought it would be funny but I shall have to wait my letter before I find out whether they have twigged it or not.
Later on we walked along the shore & killed a snipe. The poor thing had been shot & had its wing broken so we caught it & wrung its neck to put it out of its misery.
We examined the wreck very closely. The boat is the Star of Canada & is about 12,000 tons & was smashed up in a gale. There are one or two details I will fill in about this when we go through these letters together. The second officer told me that the boat was lost through a girl.
We still walked on & when we felt tired sat down & had a most interesting discussion on religion & the Bible. Orr is an exceptionally well read man & no one would think he had anything at all about him to look at his face – so quiet & retiring. You should just see what a fuss the customers make of him though.
Anyway we "discussed" for an hour and a half. We went to an hotel for dinner & came back to the boat. I had a rotten headache caused by the heat I think.
I made a remark to Orr about the weather you would most likely be having. Dirty muggy(?) foggy weather while we were basking in brilliant sunshine & it was almost too hot to move.
I slept from 8.30 till eleven o’clock & then went to bed.
This morning we called at Napier & went ashore. It is rather a nice little place & the scenery again is glorious. We sat in the botanical gardens for a long time. Everything was so quiet & peaceful & the smell of the flowers & hawthorn brought back memories of country walks I have taken with you.
I braced myself up & promised myself a nice long walk with you on the 7th or 8th of April.
I suppose the ladies will be holding their usual monthly meeting on the 7th the first Monday in the month. I think I can promise to attend but certainly if you arrange the 14th. This by the way.
After a good look round & photographing a few views we returned to the boat for lunch & here I am writing you with the boat (a 3000 tonner) rolling most ‘orribly & giving me qualms.
Tomorrow (how I have counted the days) I should get my English mail. Exactly seven weeks less two days since I heard from anybody. I really ought to get two mails & won’t I gloat over them when I get back to the ship. We call at Wellington for an hour or two so will add further from there.
16/11/12
Last night I spent in my cabin reading & owing to the roughness of the sea I dare not chance any dinner. However I slept the feeling off & managed a little supper. This morning I was up by 6.30 & was on shore at Wellington by 7.30. I couldn’t get my letters until eight o’clock but waited until the place opened. When I saw the batch waiting for me I was delighted & made straight back for the ship. After breakfast I went through them all carefully & am now going to reply to your two epistles.
Heartiest congrats on the Rose festival. You did splendidly & it was, as you say, a pity you could not have had a longer time in which to organise things. I’m prouder than ever of you. Glad you like the idea of a honeymoon trip in Africa. Can it be arranged think you? Maybe – but we will discuss these things when I get home.
At last the Committee have learned what a valuable asset you are & I quite agree with them in insisting you have one day off every week. See that you take it sweetheart & never mind the consequences. Possibly dearest I do not realise how much you love me but I realise one thing & that is that you are the only girl for me & I grow fonder of you every day.
Received your mother’s letter this morning – quite a nice one in which she sends her love! I am more than honored.
Now to your second letter which to put it very mildly
indeed gave me shocks. Sweetheart I am most awfully sorry to give you
pain as I must have done in relating my doings with Miss Millar but
please always remember you are the only one for me & when you are
one is a stranger in a strange land & don’t know a soul, you
have not the faintest idea as to my feelings & probably that is why
I spent too much time with Miss Millar.
I can see by the whole tone of your letter you are displeased but I can assure you I will not offend again. You talk about "Right" to say anything. Who but you has the Right to say anything to me. Surely sweetheart you must know you are perfectly justified in saying anything to me in which I have been in the wrong. For heavens sake don’t question you "right" again.
Now the second shock. When I read you had broken your engagement I didn’t realise what it was & for some little time I couldn’t grasp the significance of it. Gradually perception dawned on me & I realised what it must have cost you to do it. All this morning my thoughts were constantly with you – I cannot write what I want to. Somehow the words will not come. Anyway I cabled you straight away & hope you receive the message today. Dearest it must have been a frightfully painful interview with W & I appreciate more than mere words can tell what you have done for me. Truth to tell I hardly expected to hear so soon.
Now sweetheart I shall harass Mr Todd’s life out & will travel home like a shot. I have already decided to come overland from Marseilles so let me know which hotel you will stay at. If you wish Nora & yourself could come down to Paris for a day or two. Discuss it with her & let me know. You will just have time to reply to this after discussing it about two or three weeks. Ask Nora to keep it quiet.
You seem to be having a very rocky time with Auntie. I can sympathise with you knowing what it is waiting for it to turn one way of the other. Enjoy yourself while you can dearest & make the most of your opportunities.
I know not Mr Redfern not even by repute. But I think he must be a decent chap to take you out. He shews his good taste anyway.
Hope you enjoyed the few days holiday & nothing intervened to prevent it.
Talking about photographs by Kay how is the miniature going on. I shall be delighted to see either or both.
"Never no more" will I flirt dearest. You are mine forever now I hope & you will never again have cause to find fault with me I hope.
Taken on the whole my mail was a big one (17 letters in all) but it seemed to leave a nasty taste in the mouth with the exception of your two & Noras two & mothers letter. I hear father is furious with me for writing him a few plain home truths, but before I get home he will have some more just to make his hair curl. I think they might do good, but the whole family with I was at home to keep him in order. I shall stand no humping from him when I get back & he will have to know it too.
Now for this mornings doings. As aforementioned I was on shore early. Got my letters. After perusing them twice we went & saw customers. Then to the bank to see if I could negotiate a loan but not till next Monday week can I get any money.
It is most annoying not to have a cent & I owe Orr a few pounds already.
Then we saw more customers just to shake hands & say it was a cold morning & we would see them on our return a fortnight hence.
Then I went to the Rotorua – the ship father made his voyage on & interviewed the captain. He was rather busy so didn’t stay long but shall see him on my return here.
Then a little shopping & returned to the boat for lunch. Read my mail again & here I am writing to you.
Please excuse my "legible" writing. The boat is rolling & pitching in a rotten way & I can not keep my paper or pen quite still.
And now sweetheart I am quite forgiven I hope – we both enter on a new era of happiness which will last our lifetime. I shall rush as hard as I possibly can but don’t build any hopes on me arriving sooner that April 3rd. If it can by any human means be arranged that I come sooner it shall be done.
Orr has been teasing me a lot about my anxiety to get home & he suggested he should write you & say I was in safe hands. Whether he will or not I don’t know but I have given him full liberty to do so.
I am quite suntanned & look "pretty" so Orr says but it is because I am having a holiday I think. The weather is beastly cold & we are glad of topcoats on the boat though on land it is much warmer.
Tomorrow evening we land at Dunedin & with luck ought to finish there on Thursday or Friday.
If there is any more to add will do so but the mail leaves early Monday.
With my dearest love sweetheart & my heartfelt gratitude
Yours for all time
Harry
It has just struck me you will receive this letter about the 23rd or 24th inst. I wish you a very happy Christmas dearest & plenty of good fun & everything that is nice. I just with I could slip over for even five minutes to kiss you but will make up for lost time shortly.
Re the Paris trip I mentioned I of course will stand full exs. for both of you. If it cannot be arranged let me know what hotel you will stay at in London so I can wire you.
18/11 Leave this over till I have time to write next mail. Learnt something. Mail leaves in five mins.
Much love sweetest
Harry