Letter from Harry Collier to Edith Collier 24/12/1916.
Harry Collier, Author
This is one of the
letters
in our collection.
It was made in 24 Dec 1916. The place where it was made is unknown.
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TRANSCRIPTION
24:12:16
Maungaraupi
Marton
Dear Ed,
I’ve been too mean about writing. I let myself go too much imagining that people talk, but that wo’nt excuse me for not writing to you. You would like to hear naturally of anything doing. I will try to give you a brief description of the day of the test. We woke at half past four in the morning + I scrambled out of my bed (illegible, well?] a hard wooden mattress) It was an ideal morning clear + quiet and not a ripple on the water. At half-past five the Govt. observers arrived + after tossing for places for [crossed out] order of flying we got at it. Sharland was first man + went through alright. [illegible] was next (used to captain Hatricks boats on the river) but he missed the mark badly in landing after making a distance flight in figures of 8. [illegible, Cook?] was next he did alright – the wind was rising now and it did’nt look too bright for me. I found it jolly rough the air seemed to be holey + gusty on the figures of eights I had to work like a Briton to steer – I dived 30 + 40 ft at a time – once at 200ft in the air the machine sank to 40ft of the water in a pocket in the air. Somehow all control feeling of force under the controls left her + down we went – then when pressure came again I sailed up again to 200ft. I made a good landing on to the mark. It was discovered after I came in that the controls had worked loose through a poor [illegible]. After it was fixed I finished the text [sic]. – On climbing for the volplane I went up a 1000ft and had a nice view around the harbour, city, Onehunga, + both oceans’ I felt something akin to a lark. I chose a suitable landing spot – shut off the engine + came down nice + easy – it took 63 seconds to come down.
It is a month now since passing I expect to be leaving early next month – we have to await s orders to sail – from the Imperial Authorities – it is too late to wish you a merry Xmas. More important as I read you werent feeling well is – “take –“ care of yourself Ed perhaps N. Zealand would be a healthy spot for you to come to soon – with lots of love
your affectate brother
Harry X
24:12:16
Maungaraupi
Marton
Dear Ed,
I’ve been too mean about writing. I let myself go too much imagining that people talk, but that wo’nt excuse me for not writing to you. You would like to hear naturally of anything doing. I will try to give you a brief description of the day of the test. We woke at half past four in the morning + I scrambled out of my bed (illegible, well?] a hard wooden mattress) It was an ideal morning clear + quiet and not a ripple on the water. At half-past five the Govt. observers arrived + after tossing for places for [crossed out] order of flying we got at it. Sharland was first man + went through alright. [illegible] was next (used to captain Hatricks boats on the river) but he missed the mark badly in landing after making a distance flight in figures of 8. [illegible, Cook?] was next he did alright – the wind was rising now and it did’nt look too bright for me. I found it jolly rough the air seemed to be holey + gusty on the figures of eights I had to work like a Briton to steer – I dived 30 + 40 ft at a time – once at 200ft in the air the machine sank to 40ft of the water in a pocket in the air. Somehow all control feeling of force under the controls left her + down we went – then when pressure came again I sailed up again to 200ft. I made a good landing on to the mark. It was discovered after I came in that the controls had worked loose through a poor [illegible]. After it was fixed I finished the text [sic]. – On climbing for the volplane I went up a 1000ft and had a nice view around the harbour, city, Onehunga, + both oceans’ I felt something akin to a lark. I chose a suitable landing spot – shut off the engine + came down nice + easy – it took 63 seconds to come down.
It is a month now since passing I expect to be leaving early next month – we have to await s orders to sail – from the Imperial Authorities – it is too late to wish you a merry Xmas. More important as I read you werent feeling well is – “take –“ care of yourself Ed perhaps N. Zealand would be a healthy spot for you to come to soon – with lots of love
your affectate brother
Harry X
This record represents an archive item and has related works.
Measurements
253 x 203mm
Media
ink on paper
Description
Letter from Harry Collier to Edith Collier 24/12/1916. Written single sided on two sheets of lined paper.
Credit Line
Collection of The Edith Collier Trust, in the permanent care of the Sarjeant Gallery Te Whare o Rehua Whanganui.
Collection Type
Archives
Loans
Loans
Collection
Acquisition Date
Circa 1985