18/7/1916
Dear Folk.
Again I am going to try & write a few lines & this time also I cannot promise you that I can say exactly when our time for leave is up but that it is within the next four weeks is pretty certain. The latest report is that we have three more weeks horse work then four days at Papawai and after that final leave. On the way across here I looked up the order board and did not ever see the seventeenth mounteds mentioned so you see again it is only report but this time the duration of leave has dropped from sixteen days to ten. Well as I said I was going to try & be in Well. last Saturday that event came off all safe & I met Nellie & a Miss Taylor in Wellington at a quarter to seven & we did the Theatre. Went to hear Allen Doone. He was playing “The Brave Dodger Boy”, and had a crowded house it was very good being very humorous at times and at others very serious. As Sunday was wet & dull it was not the best place in N.Z. & I did not go far in the morning got up for breakfast about ten & then had a read by the fire until dinner time of course this item was also late it coming off about two P.M.
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As I was holding myself in readiness for a call from Nellie & hardly expecting it would come on account of the day I had almost given up any thoughts of going out when she & her companion arrived on the scene of action & I was not ready to go out this was after three o’clock. But they came into Jessie’s to wait for me & by the time I was ready it was nearly four however they were bent on going out so we set sail & went through the gardens up to Kelburn & had afternoon tea then came down on the tram & as it was getting on for tea time I had to make tracks. Jessie would have me go back for tea & as they were going out for tea themselves we split company for some time, they however were at the train to see me off at half six. Nellie is just the same but I believe a little quieter than the last time I saw her but that may be due to her having had a strenuous day at the races on Saturday. When I arrived at Meirs & Jessie told me that Uncle had gone I was thunderstruck after seeing him so hearty when I came away I could hardly believe it, but after having received Ruth’s letter
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It seems that he had been ill again. I also got a letter from Lottie bearing the same news but I was not surprised to hear that Mrs Gillies had gone she has been on the wane for a long time now. I suppose Uncle Walker will be the next to go if he is not keeping well again. Lottie’s letter contained the ones from over the water and I thought that Ern’s was from some other place than Tel et Hibir it must be worse there than in Cairo from the way he speaks & he will be glad of the shift no matter where it was. Kate is evidentally making up her mind about staying out there if she gets the necessary transfer. The weather up here this last few days has not been at all favourable & in places the mud would drown you it is just like porridge. As I am getting very sleepy I will have to bring this to a close. I have been going steady since two this am and as it is now well on for half past eight I think it is only fair if I go to “Shut Eye” town. It just takes me all my time to see what I am writing. Hoping this finds all as well as it leaves me. Ever your Brother Charlie
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Our work takes us out on the road nowadays and some fine rides we are having and seeing the good country round about here.
Ch.
