Letter From Quentin Nelson 1976

15 December 1976

My dear cousin Constance,

It was nice to get your air-mail yesterday and to hear news of so many people. You only made one mistake as far as I know. You give us no news of my first cousin Constance Horne, which would have interested me.

You and I have this in common, that we both knew Captain Todd. He always went to see Grandfather because he first met Grandfather on the sailing ship ‘Devonshire’, 804 tons, which left the Thames from Greenwich on 25th October 1862 and arrived at Auckland, New Zealand on the 7th February 1863, and he always felt that he was indebted to grandfather. Whatever his debt was to Grandfather, it certainly was not financial, as far as I know.

I have in my possession Grandfather’s Diaries for the years and a copy of my Father’s report on the water of the Makerere River near Christchurch in the South Island of New Zealand. I am thinking of sending them to you one day so that you can read them and hand them on in due course to the Napier Art Gallery, which already has Grandfather’s twelve-bore gun. I think the report on the river might make more sense to the Napier Harbour Board, and if they accept, it might go to them. Just as you like; only do not leave it too late. The dustmen will not know their value! I have already presented many books to the library of Pembroke College, Oxford and some letters to the Bodleian Library. It occurs to me that you might have many relics of Grandfather and I recommend that you send them soon to the Art Gallery and Museum already mentioned. Judging by my own experience they will be very glad to have them. I have given many books on Insanity to a young psychiatrist, who will go far in that speciality. In the case of valuable relics, you might prefer to sell them while you are still alive. I wonder if our cousins on the Nelson side realise the interest in Grandfather in Hawke’s Bay.

I was very interested to learn the latest news of Elizabeth and to hear about the journalist and photographer whom you took to see her.

I left the dates of Grandfather’s Diaries open with the intention of filling them in later but now I have searched for them and found many interesting things, I have failed to find the Diaries: but I have since remembered to whom I gave them. Luckily he is in New Zealand. I have seen a good deal of him and his second wife lately. He is our second cousin, Jim Nelson, of Rouncil, Middle Road, Havelock North. I suggest you make an appointment through his wife, to see him and show him this letter. Among the other interesting things that I found was Father’s diary for the year 1927 which I shall send to you when I have read it. I have also found a photograph with writing on it in Elizabeth’s handwriting, explaining what it is, She has spelt the word

PS Diana is here with us for 2 days and she sends her love to you.

yacht wrong.  I shall send it to you after Christmas in an envelope because air-mail letters must not have anything in them.

I have just decided to send you a copy of my autobiography.  I propose to type a few pages at a time, just enough to make up a small postage.  I shall send a small sticky label for you to send each part back.  The label is to be stuck over the address.  When it comes back I shall send the next instalment.

I often recall the time when your little sister, Patricia, stayed with us in London.  How long ago it was.

I am sending you my autobiography because I think some of it will interest you and I am hoping it will improve my typewriting.

Ever your loving cousin, Quentin Nelson.

Thank you so very much, dear Constance for your faithful bulletins about Elizabeth, which we always look forward to, and we much appreciate.  It is good of you to take time to write to us.  Many good wishes for Christmas & for many blessings in 1977.  With love from Betty.

TO OPEN SLIT HERE

SENDER’S NAME AND ADDRESS (PLEASE SHOW YOUR POSTCODE)

Rev. R. Q Nelson,
32, Fishbourne Road,
Chichester, P019 2JA
West Sussex, England.

AN AIR LETTER SHOULD NOT CONTAIN ANY ENCLOSURE; IF IT DOES IT MAY BE SURCHARGED OR SENT BY ORDINARY MAIL

SECOND FOLD HERE

BY AIR MAIL
AIR LETTER
PAR AVION AEROGRAMME

CHICHESTER
16 DEC 1976
WEST SUSSEX

10½ P

Mrs. E. C Horne,
56 Hardinge Road
NAPIER,
New Zealand.