George Paulin to Frederick Pauline, 12 Oct 1884

Letter from George Paulin[e] to Frederick Pauline 12 Oct 1884

[1]

Henley Lodge

Acock’s Green

12/10/84

Dear Fred

Many thanks for your last letter just received we are all pleased to hear you still keep well.

I am glad to tell you we have had a sty built + put two pigs into it which are getting on nicely. We have an idea of closing the back door up by means of a small conservatory but funds are not quite up to the mark yet. £12/00/. Required.

From your letter I should gather the scenery is very fine out your way, plenty of sport too. I suppose you will be back in Victoria before

[2]

This reaches you, for the winter, or perhaps you contemplate honouring us with your company on Xmas day + come straight on..

How are the two junior members of the Norther Western Expeditionary Co getting on St: rather dry I am afraid.

The weather has turned suddenly cold the last week having jumped into the middle of December all at once, and settled all the late autumn flowers. We expect a very severe winder, there being a large quantity of berries about this season.

Butty Shearman is quite well thank you + sends her love, she does not look – er – er ahem any worse you know, sweet 18sh! She has visited us very frequently,

[3]

Lately, the reason is that lately I have grown very much like you, at least so I heard her say. This is a compliment isn’t it? I know one point on which we are decidedly alike “Our Boohoo’s Oh Dear boy” if then only knew the [illegible] of mine – directly the weather changed this week, he immediately put on his winter garb of deep cherry red. Alas we are companion in misfortune and though the ocean rolls between our hearts, will go out to one another say “Dear boy I pity you” we are going to have a large Conservative demonstration in support of the house of Lords at Aston on Monday

[4]

Answered to Nov 12^th 1884

13^th Oct when Col Fred Raidry + all the talent will address your humble servant intends supporting them. I am very pleased to tell you that we are all enjoying terrific good health, but Ma is a little poorly to day, but I think only from fatigue.

If things at Victoria are not up to Dick @ Victoria I should make tracks for Henley Lr for Christmas + go out again next spring with me.

I think I have given you quite enough of my nonsense so will dry. With love from all + trusting to see you home soon.

I remain

Your affectionate Brother

George

[Image] Joe Rogers in Choir Sound like pouring water in this pot

November 18, 2019 0

Ernest Paulin to Frederick Pauline, 11 Jun 1912

Letter from Ernest Paulin to Frederick Paulin, 11 June 1912

[1]

There is only one P.O. in Ilford for money matters, if your people have any others on their list they are sub offices and not absolutely official.

June 11^th 1912

Ilford E means East London or Essex 39 Audrey Road

Ilford, E (or Essex)

My Dear Fred

I received your letter of the 23^rd ulto by first post this morning + for the £5 P.O. I cannot thank you too much – your reply to my letter of the 30^th April if it had been answered favourably to my suggestion contained therein by return of Post instead of some time afterwards I should not have made any of use of it for that purpose, subsequent events have proved that it would have been a futile effort to get on again with the assistance of my two big girls.

I hope you have a careful a/c of the money you have so generously sent me + which has been at all times better than Doctor’s Medicine. Please forget altogether that I am utterly friendless + terribly alone as far as any unwelcome tax upon your charitable intentions are concerned. I am quite resigned to my condition of helplessness. I merely asked for a loan which provided you had obliged me with, after all would as I say not have been used for the original purpose I intended, so that there is no harm done – I will write you again to morrow but am scribbling this in response to your request to answer (or rather) acknowledge promptly

Yours affectionately Brother E. Paulin

[2]

Please do not take anything other than my misery that may lead to my remarks being construed other than my sincerest admission of the God sent obligations I am under to you. I have been ordered away from everything + everybody for months past, but am still a prisoner with only my active head + horrible reflections on what a fool I have been. I never dreamt that I should break down so entirely as I have done.

Kind Love

November 6, 2019 0

Herbert Pauline to Frederick Pauline, 15 March 1914

[1]

Beaumont PO

15 March /14

My Dear Fred,

I am starting today pick + shovel to work on the top ditch for sewer pipe at Macaulay Point.

Having endeavoured for months past to get position in City Hall + other places with no better results than promises, have been compelled to reduce myself to the lowest type of laborer.

Our existence down here has not been like a home for some time, having not only any money to purchase food but the accompanying

[2]

Ill effects arising there from being almost unbearable.

The Major Ald Porter + McLandless have spoken to me very nicely + especially Alex Stewart, but I seem to have no luck whatever, Morwikc also has promised one, but at present is doing nothing.

I saw you the other day by Spencers’ when I was with Morwick but could not leave him to speak to you suddenly + when I left him you had disappeared, much as I wanted to talk to you.

Will you kindly help me by sending down a little food to tide over until I have worked four days please,

Your affect’t

Herbert M Pauline.

November 4, 2019 0

None of your business – Tod House Owner Won’t Tell Plans, 1974

Daily Colonist, 25 Jun 1974

Tod House Owner won’t tell plans

‘None of your businesss’

It’s the oldest private house in western Canada, even reputed to be a ghost house – but the present owner says its fate is nobody’s business but his own.

Controversy arose over Tod House, 2564 Heron, when owner Fred Massie appeared at Oak Bay council Friday night to protest its designation as a heritage landmark not be tampered with.

Massie, who bought the house in 1971, refused to say what he intended to do with it.

“It’s my property, and none of your business,” he told council, “I figure it’s worse than Hitler, worse than expropriation, for you to tell me what I can do with my own property.”

Council, however, apparently thought historical interest in the house outweighed whatever considerations Massie had in mind, and it passed a motion “to proceed immediately to designate the Tod House as a heritage landmark.”

The house was built in 1851 by John Tod, trader, for the Hudson’s Bay Company. It is the oldest house in Canada west of the lake-head.

It was also, by reputation, Victoria’s only haunted house with self opening doors, rattling chains, self-propelled objects and a ghost reported to look like Tod’s young Indian wife. The strange happenings came to a sudden end several years ago when the bones of a young Indian woman were unearthed and removed from a garden on the property.

October 31, 2019 0

Sarah Short obituary, 1959

[Note there were a few errors in the obituary regarding her age – corrections are in square brackets]

Daily Colonist, 13 March 1959

Mrs Sarah Short Rites

Death Severs Link with Pioneer Days

Victoria lost another link with its past with the burial yesterday of Mrs Sarah Short, last surviving member of the well-known pioneer Pauline family.

For many years the family lived in the old Tod House, one of Victoria’s earliest homes. The Heron Street residence now modernized, is still standing.

It was the object of considerable publicity a few years ago, with reports that it was haunted after residents of the day reported latched doors mysteriously opening and other inexplicable incidents.

One of Mrs Short’s brothers, FA Pauline was Speaker in the BC Legislature at one time and also served as BC Agent General in London. Another brother was organist at the old Christ Church cathedral for many years.

Mrs Short was the youngest of 13 children [incorrect] of Mr and Mrs Frederick Pauline who came to Victoria in the 1880s. She could recall the days when she was a child in the old Tod House and the Indians camped on the beach below the house.

Her husband, the late Henry N Short, was a pioneer gunsmith in Victoria. Born in Birmingham [incorrect – Peckham London] she was only three when her family came to this city. [incorrect – 14]

She is survived by four sons, Henry F and John C in Vancouver, Joseph R and Edward N in Victoria.

Funeral service was held at Hayward’s funeral home. Burial was in family plot, Ross Bay Cemetery.

October 29, 2019 0

Funeral of Mary Cutler Pauline, 1921

Daily Colonist, 11 August 1921

Pauline – Many beautiful flowers sent by surrounding friends, paid their mute tribute to a highly esteemed pioneer at the funeral yesterday of the late Mrs Mary Pauline, widow of Frederick Pauline. The cortege left the residence of Mrs CP Gardiner, daughter of the late Mrs Pauline, at 10:45, proceeding to Christ Church Cathedral where the impressive service was conducted by the Very Rev. Dean Qualmion, assisted by the Rev PH Fall. Two hymns were sung, “On the Resurection Morning,” and “Abide with me.” The Rev FH Fall officiated at Ross Bay Cemetery. The pallbearers were FA Pauline, MPP, HW Pauline, JA Pauline, George Pauline jr, CF Gardiner and GA Gardiner.

October 28, 2019 0

Victor Paulin to his Aunt, 1918

Lt VR Pauline

No 91 Squadron

Chattis Hill

Stockbridge, Hants

Jany 17/18

Dear Aunty

I would have written you before, had I received your address sooner, but Mother sent it just the other day, so now I am going to try and make up for lost time. I should have paid more attention to my address book before leaving Victoria, but I did not have an awful lot of time, and Mother came out of the hospital the day before I left, then it was that I commenced to think about these things, when my book was finished no local addresses

were such at all, ~~~~~ ~~~~~ for England,

As she already mentioned, of ~~~ having about addresses at, I must tell you something about myself.

I ~~~~~ my arrival in London, and which given ~~~ and of course, ~~~~~much to day out ~~~~~

[cannot read the page- photo too blurry]

said is now taller than I am. I don’t expect I shall see George until I go to France but I keep in touch with him by letter, and last I heard he was “still going strong.”

I was on another plane leave last week and went up to B’ham to see Ben, who has a chunk of shrapnel in his hips, and also see Aunt Emmy, to say nothing of cousin “Hilda”, who is some “bird”. Grace and Renee are both married, so are not half so interesting.

Oh yea, I nearly forgot to tell you about Stockbridge, it is some “hole”, we are billeted in all the old houses, the one I am billeted in is called “Grosvenor House”, the name is

not too bad, but I wish I could say the same for the “residence.” We have to walk about 2 miles to the squadron over those lovely Roman roads, you know, the kind you read about. I expect it’s a good stunt to get us ready for France.

I have been to London several times now, and can manage to find my way about fairly well, also check up the taxi drivers if they short change me, like they used to.

Hoping to hear from you in the near future.

Best to Uncle and yourself,

Your affectionate nephew

Victor

October 27, 2019 0

Death of George Frederick Paulin, 1968

Victoria Daily Colonist, 7/23/1968

Paulin Rites Thursday

Travel Executive Dies Here at 72

The former president of the Victoria travel agency George Paulin Ltd and of Black Ball Ferries Ltd, George Frederick Paulin died Monday at 72.

Mr. Paulin, who retired three years ago, had been in the travel business in Victoria since 1940.

He had also been chairman of the Victoria Chamber of Commerce harbor development committee and in 1961 was elected president of the BC Tourist Association.

Funeral services will be at 3 pm Thursday in Holy Trinity Anglican Church, Patricia Bay, where Mr. Paulin had served as rector’s warden.

Educated at Boy’s Central School, he served overseas during the First World War with the Canadian Field Artillery. During the Second World War he served with the 5^th BC Coast Regiment, RCA, rising to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel.

He is survived by his wife Muriel, at Deep Cove.

October 26, 2019 0

Victor Reginald Paulin letter home, nd

Fancy me writing a letter like this. I am afraid I will get brain storm.

Letter 2 [nd]

While in Waterloo Station on my way back the other day, a Canadian officer came up and asked me where he could buy a paper. I did not know as it was Sunday, and we got talking. He asked me where I came from, and I told him, so he asked me my name as he also came from Victoria. I told him, and instantly we were old friends, as it was young Gonnason, he was on leave from France and was through the same show

that Ben and George got at with Passchendale. I told him all about Ben and we had quite a nice little talk. So nice that I nearly missed my train.

As regards to my insurance, it is a safe investment if you pay it because I will be in a position to pay it soon. From the first of this month I get 25 bob a day, but my allowances which make up the large portion of this sum were paid about ~~~~~ in arrears, so when they come through and my account gets “properly started” I will send you a draft.

The last night I went to Zigg Zagg, a musical revue in London and enjoyed it very much. Cousin Hilda, sings very nicely if she had someone to play for her. Gracie plays a little, but not much. Gracie is married to a returned soldier with one arm, and lives across the street from her Mother. She is not nearly as nice as Hilda, she has picked up the same way of speaking as the people they been living amongst in Perry Bar (some place) and reminds me very much of Aunty Polly, always acting the goat and making faces. But there is all the differences in the world between

the two. Well Ma, this is about the longest letter I have ever written, and as all things must have an ending, I must break off right here, simply from lack of news and brains fag.

With all kinds of love to Dad and yourself

Your affectionate son

Vic

October 21, 2019 0

Victor Reginald Paulin to Edith Nickells Paulin, 1918

Letter to Mrs George Paulin from son Victor Paulin, France 22 April 1918

Dear mother,

How are things in old Victoria? Received a letter from Victoria yesterday giving all the latest events, from Nancy Riddell, they are now living at 793 Stillside Ave, wants a snap of me, so I told her to call on you, and you would be sure to give her one. I hope you received the postcards taken at Ayr and the 2 films taken in France while I was in the pool.

I have just returned from Baron von Richtofffen’s funeral, he was the German “star” aviator, and was brought down yesterday by one of the chaps in this wing. He flew a red tryplane. I also went and had a look at that this morning. It was quite a funeral for France, a firing party of Australians, and the pall bearers were officers of the Australian Flying Corps. During the ceremony a formation of our machines flew around the cemetery, everyone was wishing that he had been brought down alive, as he was a brave fellow. I have had him dive on me on one occasion, and am not at all sorry he is out of it, at the same time I have every respect in the world for him, if Idid not happen to be able to dive faster than he on the occasion I mention, he would have “got me” -as the him tryplane is a very frail machine and is liable to break up at a great speed. He couldn’t follow me, believe me, I had “gust up” when I knew that the “star”

“him” was on my tail.

I received a letter from Aunty Nellie, also one from Ben, Ruby and Hilda, everything in the garden is rosy so far as Ruby and Ben are concerned. It appears they have both written me, but I have not received the letters.

Say Mother, did Aunty Floss ever write me? I have never heard from any of our relatives in Victoria, except that one letter from Aunty Doll Aunty Polly. I must have lost a whole batch of mail. I have written about a hundred letters for every one I receive. Expected one from you today, it seems funny that I should receive a letter from Nancy from Victoria, and no other mail with it. Perhaps some more is coming !!!(This letter was dated 11 March)

In case you haven’t received my other letters my address is 23 Squadron, RAF, BED France. I received a letter from Wilf recently, he was in London for a few days. I will get leave in about a month, and will send some more music for Dad, tell him to write a few lines once in a while. I haven’t had a letter from him since I landed in England. I received a Christmas card from him that is all, Well Ma must close now, hope Toby won’t be a nuisance to you, the best way would be to raffle him for the Red Cross!! deducting your expenses.

Love to Dad and yourself, your loving son Vic

October 17, 2019 0