Letter from Frances Hodgkins to Will Field
Date
22 Jul 1913
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Object Detail
Date
22 Jul 1913
Transcript
Craighall Eglinton Rd Dunedin Tuesday 22nd
My dear Will
I enclose two £5 notes with many thanks for the kind loan. I will repay the balance on my return on Monday Aug 4th. I am sorry to keep you waiting so long but I found I needed all my ready cash on leaving Adelaide. I had hurriedly banked my cheques & not left myself too much for current expenses which of course are always twice what you expect them to be, especially when dealing with the Customs.
As to the roll of sketches I wired for I am rather distressed Sis did not act at once & send them off by that day’s boat. My show is now on with a blank on the walls awaiting their arrival. I want the roll of sketches I brought out with me & showed in the dining room from time to time to various friends. If it is not already sent off of course it is too late.
I have the use of the big Art Gallery. It is a handsome room – too large for my purposes – a vile pink colour & very cold & the weather is the worst they have had for years – such a violent change after Australia. I have worked hard & have lost no time & the Show opened yesterday – Monday – in a howling gale of rain & wind. About 40 people came the other 150 rang up during the evening to explain why they couldn’t come. The Mayor Mr Willie Downie Stewart, made a very nice speech & Mr Theomin also & many old friends where there in mackintoshes & damp feet. Mr Jim Roberts bought the first picture after a determined bargain. I am not used to these methods of doing business but Mr Neilson who is selling for me says it is the custom to “make offers”. Every one seems pleased over my work tho’ surprised. Dr Scott did not come to the opening but came down during the morning I was much shocked at his appearance but thought him looking better yesterday.
I have seen him quite often & went up at once on my arrival & to lunch the next day. He moves heavily & when tired his speech is very slow. His girls are dear soft gentle little things who are very careful with him, but it is a sad case. He can laugh & say sharp things as well as ever but you can see the queer frightened look in his eyes. Being a doctor he knows so well what it means, poor chap.
Tell Mother this letter must do for her as well I have very little time, but will be back soon now & will give her all the news. It is nice seeing old friends. Every body is so kind. This is more the real home coming. People are pretty poor down here & I don’t expect great things. There is an awful lot of mud & the distances terrify me & to make matters a little more difficult I am doubled in half with rheumatism with the damp – clothes & boots are always drying beside the kitchen fire.
Is Mother looking out for a room for me? I know Sis is crowded up. Don’t catch small pox! Much love to you all Yrs Frances
It takes a lot of courage to run a Water Colour Show in this filthy weather – teeming rain & a frozen gallery. I hope Miss Richmond will do well. P.S. If this doesn’t arrive too late, will you please see Mr Fisher Minister of Customs & put in a word on my behalf about paying duty on pictures. I have sent him in a petition to that effect but think a word from you will help a lot. It seems I must pay £1 on each picture as I have been away from N.Z. longer than 5 yrs. Perhaps he will strain a point in my peculiarly deserving case & make me exempt from payment or at least make some concession.
My dear Will
I enclose two £5 notes with many thanks for the kind loan. I will repay the balance on my return on Monday Aug 4th. I am sorry to keep you waiting so long but I found I needed all my ready cash on leaving Adelaide. I had hurriedly banked my cheques & not left myself too much for current expenses which of course are always twice what you expect them to be, especially when dealing with the Customs.
As to the roll of sketches I wired for I am rather distressed Sis did not act at once & send them off by that day’s boat. My show is now on with a blank on the walls awaiting their arrival. I want the roll of sketches I brought out with me & showed in the dining room from time to time to various friends. If it is not already sent off of course it is too late.
I have the use of the big Art Gallery. It is a handsome room – too large for my purposes – a vile pink colour & very cold & the weather is the worst they have had for years – such a violent change after Australia. I have worked hard & have lost no time & the Show opened yesterday – Monday – in a howling gale of rain & wind. About 40 people came the other 150 rang up during the evening to explain why they couldn’t come. The Mayor Mr Willie Downie Stewart, made a very nice speech & Mr Theomin also & many old friends where there in mackintoshes & damp feet. Mr Jim Roberts bought the first picture after a determined bargain. I am not used to these methods of doing business but Mr Neilson who is selling for me says it is the custom to “make offers”. Every one seems pleased over my work tho’ surprised. Dr Scott did not come to the opening but came down during the morning I was much shocked at his appearance but thought him looking better yesterday.
I have seen him quite often & went up at once on my arrival & to lunch the next day. He moves heavily & when tired his speech is very slow. His girls are dear soft gentle little things who are very careful with him, but it is a sad case. He can laugh & say sharp things as well as ever but you can see the queer frightened look in his eyes. Being a doctor he knows so well what it means, poor chap.
Tell Mother this letter must do for her as well I have very little time, but will be back soon now & will give her all the news. It is nice seeing old friends. Every body is so kind. This is more the real home coming. People are pretty poor down here & I don’t expect great things. There is an awful lot of mud & the distances terrify me & to make matters a little more difficult I am doubled in half with rheumatism with the damp – clothes & boots are always drying beside the kitchen fire.
Is Mother looking out for a room for me? I know Sis is crowded up. Don’t catch small pox! Much love to you all Yrs Frances
It takes a lot of courage to run a Water Colour Show in this filthy weather – teeming rain & a frozen gallery. I hope Miss Richmond will do well. P.S. If this doesn’t arrive too late, will you please see Mr Fisher Minister of Customs & put in a word on my behalf about paying duty on pictures. I have sent him in a petition to that effect but think a word from you will help a lot. It seems I must pay £1 on each picture as I have been away from N.Z. longer than 5 yrs. Perhaps he will strain a point in my peculiarly deserving case & make me exempt from payment or at least make some concession.
Pages
4 pages
Sender's address
Craighall, Eglinton Road. Dunedin
Institutional No.
MS-Papers-0085-26
Credit Line
Letters
from
Frances
Hodgkins.
Field,
Isabel
Jane,
1867-1950
:
Correspondence
of
Frances
Hodgkins
and
family
/
collected
by
Isabel
Field.
Ref:
MS-Papers-0085-26.
Alexander
Turnbull
Library,
Wellington,
New
Zealand.
https://natlib.govt.nz/records/23118157
https://natlib.govt.nz/records/23118157