TRANSCRIPTION:
Dear Edith,
I am very sorry I overlooked your birthday I really thought yours & Mum’s was in April not March. I had had your birthday on my mind meaning to give you something decent for a birthday present. You are now ascending in the twenty fifth year isn’t it. Only a kid yet. Although I’m twenty I wish I was Billy’s age all the same. Reg went home this morning. It’s a pity he didn’t come & spend his holidays this is just the [time?] of the year to come up here any amount of sport to be had and you can see more of whats going on about the place then at Christmas time. I am in better [illeg.] now then I have been for twelve months really & truly in splendid form & Reg will tell you also, if I go on like I am now I will be putting Dad in the shade altogether. Do you still go to the Tech and study as you used to or have you abandoned painting as you have the cello and the piano. I wish you would keep up the cello a little more than you do absolutely a rotten idea chucking it up as you have done but I suppose you cant [illeg.] not – you can do two things at once. Ah well you have made more use of your head that I have as I know nothing. Twenty eh! There might be a chance for one to make use of my dough-nut yet you know any amount of colts who seemed to have no sense of locomotion have paved out great men isn’t that so. I mean after they have grown up. Ah well I suppose that remains to be seen, any career I’m afraid won’t be an iota [illeg.] in this generation. Ignorance is the curse of God. Knowledge the wing wherewith we fly to Heaven. You didn’t know I study the Bible now and I find it very interesting strange to say. I believe Mum has been to Wellington for a holiday and it would do her a lot of good, especially going also along with Mrs Russell. Why didn’t she take Thea with her as a pick-me-up for Thea herself. Reg was saying she wasn’t altogether to [too] bright going off her [illeg.] And [illeg.] you I’m getting the stuff into me great gest as it were. Anyhow I hope [?It] doesn’t get any worse ask her to write me a letter & I will answer it straight away. I had that dog [?Soot] out today and I wouldn’t part with it for anything unless a big sum it’s a real daisy. {illeg.] also hes done some very decent work for me but they are both too young [illeg.] to test any length of time. I keep them well fed etc which is half the work. Well I shall close now love to all although going late in the day I wish you very happy return of the day.
From your loving brother
Harry