Letter from Ernest Paulin to Frederick Pauline, 27 October 1897
107 Whitehead Road
Aston
October 29th 1897
Dear Fred
I have been striving hard to find time to answer your letters, the last one received on the 20th inst but have had my mind so full of matters affecting me nearer home, that I positively could not carry out my resolution to spend a short time in paying my debts in the matter of overdue correspondence, before this evening, and even now, I scarcely know what to start on first, in order that I may curtail as much as possible all I wish to communicate and spare your time when reading as well. I enclose the Power of Attorney signed and witnessed and left blank as I think it will be far better for you to
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When you can find time to have the details put in over there, as I may not exactly fill the bill myself and it would then necessitate returning to me again to be initialled. I trust you will not mind the trouble.
Anent Henley Lodge, I quite agree with you that it had better be sold and I can from actual knowledge recommend the earliest opportunity of realising Fry to be taken advantage of. I have frequently seen Frost and he experiences as much difficulty in understanding Fry as you do, as I do, or anybody could do – He allowed the last tenant to go out without even asking him for the arears of rent. The man Geo Corbett I find is living now in the Oxford
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Road at Acock’s Green and according to the prevailing English law can be distrained against for rent owing to a previous landlord. Of course I am ignorant as to whether Fry has collected anything or tried to, as you do not say.
I enclose a letter from Frost enclosing the last communication he had from Fry. I took the matter up with the proposed purchaser but cannot give you any definite idea yet as to any business that may ensure, I cannot give the matter nearly so much attention as I should wish, through want of time and the expenses attached to it, although trifling, are seldom available from my finely cut revenue. At any rate I shall be pleased to have any suggestions
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You can make that may tend to relieve the insufficient exchequer at Oak Bay, which of course I am aware means a constant worry to you and an oftentime unwelcome draft on your resources.
I have not heard of the whereabouts of Rutherford since I wrote you last, but I do not anticipate much difficulty in finding him when I am in a defined position to clear up the question of the pictures – I am sorry you considered it necessary to raise the question as to whether “I did not think it would be unwise to part with the money before I had possession of the pictures.” I hope that I am capable of carrying out this commission for you with due regard to common sense.
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I am very pleased to hear that Bert is getting on as well + hope he will embrace what I consider to be the chance of his life, to a successful issue. I never had a chance like it myself.
I have not heard from George lately and very much miss his breezy little notes. I wish you would tell him so, and ask him to excuse me if I owe him a letter. I often think of him and sincerely hope he is doing better and that his young family are all he can desire in health.
Emmie had a letter from Cissy the other day, she was very pleased and will reciprocate the first spare time she has. Of course you can understand that her hands are pretty full just now.
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Our latest addition to the family is a robust little chap and is a ray of sunshine that has been a great blessing to us, notwithstanding his travelling expenses before and after his arrival were a very serious matter indeed. He is named Norman Frederick and looks every inch his name.
We are constantly thinking of our boy Harold and shall bless the time when were are informed of anyone coming over to bring him, do not let an opportunity slip to send him giving us lots of time to arrange his passage and other details.
Dad has not written for months now, why is it? If I have offended him in any way do let
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Me know, I daren’t even dream of there being any estrangement between me and my old Dad, can you persuade him to drop me a line sometime?
As far as advancement in the confidence of my “company” and the creditable responsibilities placed upon me, which are rapidly increasing. I can say I have got along splendidly and am looking forward almost daily now to an increase in may salary, in fact I have placed my position before the board recently and have not as yet heard their decision, but their delay in considering assures me that was wise in approaching them.
I have now the full
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Control of the accounts of the Company and am deputed “advisory accountant” a responsibility that is highly interesting and keeps me constantly on the go, framing systems for our new enterprises, the conduct of our agencies both home and abroad, and even control as regards method and detail over the visiting auditor themselves, this latter department was readily ascended to by Messrs Gibson + Ashford
I feel that I shall be rewarded for my labors, but it cannot come too soon.
I enclose what I hope to be the winding up of an estate I took in hand from
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Sidney Smith (brother-in-law) + trustee to the estate, being a heavy creditor he has only so far paid my expenses to and fro the business, but upon the administration of the estate I am to receive the full allowance for accountants fees prescribed by law. I am afraid I shall not get it cleared up by Xmas, can hardly expect that, but it is something to look forward to.
The printing I have had all done at Kynoch’s, of course at cost and credit which I was fortunate in obtaining without demur whatever in fact the printing department took unusual interest in my little commission, which I fully appreciate.
I hope Clondyke will continue to boom for your sake and Victoria generally, but I am
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Sadly afraid there will be some dreadfull suffering by those who have failed to get through. Why did you not have your firm name on the envelope reminding the public of the American duty?!
Has the idea of sending over my valuables dropped out entirely, I should so like to get anything you can send. You see we furnished ? on the instalment plan, at the poorest rate and we lack comfort very much and it will be sometime yet before we can get the necessary additions to our present plant.
I longingly look forward to, at any rate, living times again
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I hear Florence is to be married soon, I hope she will be happy.
When next you write do let me know how the Dad is + endeavour to persuade the boys to drop me a line or to – I hope Goodwin I will obtain the telegaraphist billet, which of course has meant a lot of work to learn and he will receive higher pay.
Hoping you and your family are enjoying good health and that I shall hear from you again soon.
I am
Your affectionate Brother
Ernest
Don’t talk about me getting any fishing – but it is refreshing to hear of your outings, let me have more of it.
Emmie sends her love to Cissy and your boy.