Chau Family Papers (Letters)
Date Published
: Traditional
: Mei-Su Chen
Family letters
Mother,
My heart rejoiced when hearing from your last letter, saying everyone in the family was safe and sound. Since I came to Australia in 10th year of the republic (1921), thirty years has gone. I made more than one thousand pounds over the years, and still have a deposit of 500 pounds apart from the money sent home and self-used. I also decided to wind up my business here and book my ticket going back home next year in August or September. Till then I could look after you, my dearest mother. If my salary goes well, converting pounds to Yuan would leave me ten thousand Yuan (￥) and I am satisfied with the money. Currently I am healthy and have a good appetite, so please don’t worry about me. My fifth sister (五妹) must have progressed in her studies, I wonder why I haven’t seen her essays for a few months. Are sixth sister and Jie’er （杰儿）tractable? My wife is still young. If she doesn’t obey you, please educate her not spoil her. Ruiting (瑞庭) is also studying in school, has he improved? Also yesterday I heard from Nian saying he loaned money from relatives to buy shops, costing silver 26100 两 (1 两=31g). Now the loans are called and he is still in short of silver 8000 两. Thus he asked me to buy a share and pay back those money together. I couldn’t decide before, thus writing this letter to ask your opinion. You always so no (to something?) and I always trust Nian, so we have to be careful and not to disturb his business.
Recently many events have happened on you, and you were asked to donate to multiple organisations. Foshan (佛山) is after all not suitable for long-term living because of the large amount of slums. Please don’t purchase any property now. Also father sent me a telegram from Hong Kong on 7th April, discussing the family business. He said nowadays there are regular trade contacts between Hong Kong and Australia, and he authorised me to charge the family business. On 8th May he said that some goods were shipped to Australia from Hong Kong. Father has been mostly in Hong Kong taking care of his business. In terms of business, we made a great profit over the years. However there are some disagreements among our partners, so we are splitting the stock. I have financial reports sent to father via every ship sailing to Hong Kong.
Also mother please don’t be too frugal at home. When you have meals, have food that is delicious. The true happiness only comes when your family is safe and sound. I earn eight pounds every week, which equal to Guangdong Yuan 80￥. So with 4000￥ per year, I am quite happy. Also Australia regulates workers to work only five and a half days a week. Plus all the shops are closed on Sundays and public holidays. Time flies and no wonder why everyone wants to go to Melbourne (新金山=Melbourne). The monthly salary here is the same as annual earning in Tangshan (唐山)。
Mother please enjoy your old age and take care of your health. That would take a load off my head. Also if my wife Chen is willing to concentrate on studies, ask her to go to school with 五妹. Mum, you can hire a servant to do the housework in stead of worrying about it yourself. Tip the servant throughout the year and you could handle all the rest. I wish 五妹 could reply my letter as soon as possible, and write more about the stories inside the family. That would release my worries. Lastly, how is your health status? I wrote to dad, asking him to take tonics. I really miss the family and love you from the bottom of my heart.
Send my regards to all the relatives.
Regards,
Zuodong
13TH of the republic, 16th May