ADDISON PARKER
IMPORTER AND MANUFACTURERS' AGENT
Corner Jenkins Parade and Booth Avenue,
Collaroy, via Manly,
Sydney N.S.W.

Feb. 17th 1922

Dear Nance,

I always thought we called you Annie although I have noticed that Kate always refers to you as Nance. I was very pleased to hear from you. I have never forgotten you. Although we have no photo of you I can remember your face quite well. It was sweet and chubby.

You were much younger than me and I often wonder if I played any horrid jokes upon you. I remember playing one on Kate. It was at our house in Queenstown which place is near Port Adelaide. Aunt Ellie and Kate came from Parkside (was it?) for the day and they had to catch a certain train home. I challenged Kate and told her that she had no will power and that my will was greater than hers. I told her to stand up on a chair which she did, and then I said that she would step down off that chair at my bidding and before I asked her three times. I asked her twice to get down and then went away and left poor Kate standing on the chair. It was getting near train time and I soon found out who had the will. Kate would not budge and both my Mother and your Mother considered she was right. However, out of respect for my parents I asked her to get down a third time which she immediately did. So Kate won but I think she conceded me a moral victory. My Mother delights in telling a story about Kate and I playing together in a tub when we were very tiny. The tub was filled with toys and poor Kate could never get any to play with. My reply to Mother is; See what an unselfish girl Kate grew up.

I am afraid it may be a long time before we go to England for a trip. Lillie (my wife) is not very fond of travelling. I have taken her and Gladys all over Australia. Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, Hobart (Tas.) etc. but she does not care for the sea. We once travelled 2,000 miles by train together to avoid the sea.

I love the sea and enjoyed every bit of my business trip to America. I had three months there and only for the War would have gone on to England. I will be sure to look up both Kate and you. You are the only cousins I can remember.

I note that Dick does some riding on a motor cycle. He ought to take a trip to Australia and try some of our roads. I never use our car or anybody else's car if I can get a ride in the train or tram. The roads here are indescribable. I have seen the American ones and know that the English roads are good. You have a lot to be thankful for in England although I suppose you would give a good deal for our blue skies.

Just at present I am taking a little rest from business for a year or two. My health has not been too good. I take a lot of exercise. Carpentry is a hobby of mine but I only work in hardwood so as to get the exercise. I can build a motor garage or small humpy and enjoy every minute of it. I am fond of using the crosscut saw and the bigger the log the better I enjoy it. We will be building a new house shortly on 2 acres of land a little out of the city so I will have plenty of work getting in the new trees, laying out the ground etc.

I must close now by thanking you for your good wishes for Gladys which I know she will heartily reciprocate.

Yours affectionately Addison.