Letter Joe Tong to his mother (Chau Family Papers)

Translation

To my honoured mother, beneath whose knee I respectfully report:

It has long been since I last received any instruction from you. I constantly think of your daily life and pray that you are enjoying good fortune and that everyone at home is safe and well. That would be a great comfort to me.

Since I came to Australia in the 10th year of the Republic [1921], over these three years I have managed to earn more than one thousand [yuan / dollars / taels, unclear unit]. After household remittances and my own expenses, I estimate that I still have a little over five hundred left. My intention is that by next year, around the eighth or ninth month, all my affairs may be wound up. I am determined then to buy passage and return home, so that I may again enjoy the happiness of serving you at your knee. By that time I may perhaps have been able to save something further; if remittances continue as usual, I may even be able to accumulate something approaching a thousand. This gives me a good deal of inward satisfaction.

Recently, being away from home, my health has been quite good, and my eating is better than usual. I have been able to pass the winter safely. In all matters of getting about and daily routine there is little cause for concern.

As for Fifth Younger Sister, since she is studying this year, she must surely have made much progress. For several months I have not seen even a single letter from her, and I do not understand why. As for Sixth Younger Sister and Jie’er[or a similar personal name], are they obedient and attentive at present? The children and young people, being immature in understanding, may not always follow instruction, so I beg Mother to guide them firmly and not allow them simply to do as they please.

Has Ruiting younger brother been diligent and attentive in his studies? Has he made progress? Yesterday I received a letter forwarded in March from Teacher Jiping, saying that in the fifth month of last year one of his relatives and friends bought the Lianhua property, namely the eight shop-houses of Li Taishi, for 26,100 taels of silver. Because of mortgage redemption being pressed, there still remained 8,000 taels to be redeemed. This sum was to be collected from me. Elder Brother apparently said that if there were shares in the capital, he was willing to subscribe; or else one might attach oneself as a shareholder. Since the earlier discussion had not yet been settled, when I wrote back I had not yet decided whether or not to take up a share. After this letter arrives, I ask that you consult Teacher Ping further, or otherwise advise as appropriate.

As for me, I think it best simply to decline politely. I have also sent a separate letter explaining this in detail, so that others will not be inconvenienced by having to wait on my decision.

At present the levies and forced subscriptions have still not ceased. Under present conditions, if one converts the exchange, eight sovereigns / pounds [reading uncertain] would come to more than four thousand-odd yuan, which makes outsiders think the prospects look attractive. Foreign firms and businesses here work only five and a half days a week; Sundays and public holidays are all strictly observed as days of rest. In this place, whether large or small, all factories and shops shut their doors. Time seems to pass in a flash. One really feels that here in Gold Mountain [i.e. overseas], the wages earned in a single month exceed what an ordinary person in China might earn in a year.

Still, I hope Mother will put her mind at ease, enjoy life, and take good care of her health. If you do so, I, being abroad, shall be much relieved.

If the younger ones are willing to study seriously, and if it can be seen that by the next term they may truly improve, then perhaps Ruhua might study together with Fifth Younger Sister, and household matters would then be easier to arrange. [This part is somewhat uncertain.]

Lately Father has written on several occasions, and from what he says the family business has already been taken over by our side. On the 8th day of the 5th month, there had originally been some expectation about goods or stock not yet cleared [reading uncertain], but recently Father in Hong Kong seems perhaps to be staying in a lodging-house and managing the business there. He seems satisfied enough with the arrangement for the moment.

As for profits, they are not especially great at present, and the men handling affairs do not see eye to eye, which is why the shares were divided. In the near future, all is generally peaceful and sound.

I also earnestly ask that at home you must not be too frugal with food and daily living. Morning and evening meals should always be suitable and nourishing. Do not be reluctant to spend money on this. So long as one has the two words “peace and safety”, that is happiness enough.

I estimate that in the next little while I shall send home a good many remittances / gifts [the final lines are partly obscured and difficult].

Written/sent in the 12th lunar month of ROC 13. [1924]

AI translation