Auckland
17th Reinforcements
1/10/1916
Dear Folk
You will no doubt be surprised to learn that I have proceeded thus far & also that I am still in N.Z. However such is my good fortune I managed to pluck up enough courage last Monday to ask the O.C. if there was any possible chance of me getting a few days to proceed to Auckland & he said that he would do his best for me if he could find out for certain when we would sail. So on Tuesday morn he sent for me to come up before him so up I went and he informed me that we would not be sailing before five days at any rate & wanted me to take from Wed. to Saturday but thinks I we won’t go before the fourth & I said I would take from Thursday morning till Monday afternoon so it was arranged & heave granted. Jessie left Featherston
[Page 2]
on Wed afternoon for Wellington & caught the Auckl. express at one Thursday I leaving Featherston at ten thirty on Thursday morning. The train on which I travelled came up the Wairarapa and through the Manawatu Gorge & met the a north express at Palmerston. N. I arrived there about there about three quarters of an hour before Jessie but had sent word to Aunty that I was going through & of course she was there to meet us so that the time was well filled in until the express came along. Of course Mrs Hamilton came along with Jessie she had been waiting at Meier’s for her for some few days & it so happened we struck the day she had to come through before her ticket was out. Eventually we all arrived in Auck. at seven on Friday morn all very much travel worn & glad to get here however the boat did not leave until one so we went for a
[Written at top of Page 2]
Auntie means Nellie McIlwrick
A.E.M.
[Page 3]
wee bit breakfast then had a look round some before setting sail for Waiheke. It was a pleasant run down but very slow, all the same it is a pretty run down & takes just about four hours but we were late took nearly five. By this time of course it was nearly dark so I saw nothing that night but retired early and had a great sleep. In the morning Jim took me up the hill and I saw round some of the run but as it came on to rain & we had only three-quarters of an hour it was only a peep I got, the boat was returning at ten. However I enjoyed it very much & think that perhaps some day will settle down here it is a real free & easy life the only thing against it is it being so much out of the way. Jeannie & Jessie both returned to Auckland with me & we are all staying here, Radnor, & having a fly round seeing all we can in the time.
[Page 4]
Had a grand view of the city in the afternoon of yesterday from Mt Eden & after tea went out & called on the Gillies family. Today is a little wet so that we have perforce to stay inside but went out for a little this am went to the Domain after breakfast & back about half-past ten as it was too wet to stay out so that you see I am writing this not to waste any time what will be done this afternoon depends on the climate conditions. My train goes about nine PM or a little after & I get back to camp about four tomorrow afternoon. What I have seen of this place I like very much quite different from any of the other big cities, & I can tell you I notice a difference in the atmosphere but I believe the trees & flowers are further on down in Wellington than here they appear to be late this year.
[Page 5]
Now as regards our sailing the (skipper) told me the morning I left that we would be sailing Thurs along with the eighteen & going without horses. By what boat I am on yet certain but believe it is the Moraki as far as Australia & from there in a P&O. boat, of course this remains to be seen. The last ten days in camp were a terror doing absolutely nothing for six or seven days but stretch out and sleep & if there was anything to be done it hard work to get anyone to do it. I really do not know how I will pack my swag I think I will have to take it to Wellington & have it dumped. We will be leaving Featherston Wed I suppose or perhaps Thursday morning & go on the boat in the after noon and sail early morning. However I will try and give all details later also address etc as I do not yet know what that will be but my
[Page 6]
number is 16429. only discovered the other day that I have had it for a long while it was in my pay book & I did not know. There is not more that I can write about at present will close and gett dressed for dinner. Hoping it finds all as well as it leaves all here in the best of health & spirits. Ever Your Brother
Charlie.
