Just by way of illustration as to the difficulty of obtaining work and earning a living in Vancouver at this time, I have a copy of an article, written by a young fellow, Jock Fairlie. In this piece, he told of his difficulties finding suitable work to maintain himself, and all of this at the ripe old age of twenty-seven!

Click HERE to view the news atricle. (472Kb)

 

 

 

51 Vicarage Rd,
Blurton
Dec. 11th 1949

Dear Fred

I was ever so glad to get your letter and hear how you were going on. I am very sorry to have been so long in writing to you. Your letter came only a few weeks before we set off for a holiday on the Continent. My wife had not been abroad before & we thought it was time she went.

 

We started on Aug 16th & sailed from Newcastle on Tyne to Bergen in Norway. From there we went a tour eventually arriving at Oslo the capital. Then we went on to Stockholm in Sweden & from there to Copenhagen in Denmark. From there we made for home arriving at Harwich on Sept. 4th My wife's sister lives just across from Harwich so we stayed there about three days. We had a most enjoyable time. It is not a holiday that you can do many times in a lifetime, but we thought that once we had paid the fare, it was better to see all one could.

 

Well that's enough about myself & now about you.

 

It seems as you say that people over there almost live for money. I am sorry your uncle is so much like that. A certain amount of money is very necessary in order to live in moderate comfort, but after you have got that there are other things more important such as a good home & christian virtues.

 

We must make allowances for him for the fact that like your father & his brothers their father ( your grandfather ) did not give them a start in life. It is not surprising therefore that having to struggle to get money they thought too much of it. Still he does not seem to have treated you too well after tempting you to come out to him. It is to be hoped his marriage will not add to his troubles instead of easing them.

 

Anyhow there is a certain satisfaction in being independent & apparently you have managed that. I am glad that you have got a job & kept it so long. I hope your health will keep good so that you can keep on without any set backs. As you say things are no better in this country. I have lost all faith in the Government. I am afraid they will be sent back at the next General Election but I hope the majority will be much reduced.

 

Well, a very happy Christmas to you & your family from my wife & yours

 

Will