[June 1, 2008 - these letters were found in Grandma Clegg's (Lucile) garage last weekend while we were remodeling. They are both from Mom (Zan) and the first documents their trip journal to New Zealand in 1957 and the second is a letter that was written after they had been there a little while.]
Dearest Folks:
It is Saturday afternoon and very beautiful outside (between rains). Everyone but me is asleep for now and I'm hoping they stay that way until I finish this letter. I don't hardly know how to write this as I have already started two or three letters and taken notes on our trip. I think I'll just go back and give a more detailed explanation of everything.
Sunday afternoon, July 28th-Exactly where we are we don't know. I didn't write anything the first few days as I had to get used to the motion of the ship. I didn't feel too god the first day out but i really wasn't sic. It was rather hard to get the babies accustomed to the small stateroom and not feeling too good we were all a little on edge the first few days. Jackie was so good to us while we were there. I surely enjoyed my visit with her. She is still the same sweet Jackie. Her bosses at work were so helpful in giving her instructions on exactly how to get to the boat so we didn't have any trouble at all.
When we first boarded the ship that night we all felt rather out of place with all the white orchids mink coats and diamond rings. Most of the passengers were rich tourists who were making the cruise. The night as we left the pier, the people from the boat had thrown streamers of confetti to the people on the shore and it was quite a colorful sight. Our stateroom isn't to large but large enough. It's about 9x9 with three big closets and a good sized bath. There are two bunks that let down out of the wall and a couch that makes down into a bed. It has a rail around it so we put Paula in one and Peter in the other. I sleep on the bottom bunk and Grant on the top. Gradually as we are getting to know the people we find that there are some very nice ones. Peter and Paula never had nor I suppose ever will have as much attention as they have had on this trip. Every time anyone even looks at Paula, she wrinkles up here nose and smiles, really a little clown. She waves bye-bye to everyone and they all think it's so funny the way she crawls.
I wish we'd have had more idea of how to dress. I didn't even dare wear my jeans outside of the room. They just didn't wear them. They require the men to wear jackets to all meals and ties to dinner but we made out alright. The day we crossed the equator and they had a big ceremony up by the swimming pool. The babies were asleep so I didn't go up but Grant said it really was a mess. The ended up throwing each other in the swimming pool. They only chose so many to initiate.
Everyday they published a little newspaper that contained a few world events, the day's events on the ship and approximately where we were and how far we have traveled the day before. There was a library where you could check out books, writing room, a lounge, game room, swimming pool, ping pong, tennis, shuffle board, a store, theater, barber shop, a salon and a bar just like a small village. There was a laundry room just down the hall from us that had 2 auto dryers and 2 auto washers so our laundry was no problem at all.
The morning we sited land at Tahiti I was so excited as Christmas. I was ready to get off and stay there. It looked beautiful, mainly because it was the first land we had seen for 7.5 days. After we docked, Grant wen down to get in touch with the mission home and I guess he really had a circus. Everyone spoke French; finally he talked to one of the missionaries and he said to come on up , so we got a cab and the man who owned it was buying it from the mission so he knew right where to take us They were all busy getting ready for a week long conference but one of the Elders showed us around the mission home. They had bananas growing in their yard and we nearly foundered on them.
Sister Christensen asked us to stay for dinner so we stayed and for some reason that good old home coked meal really hit the spot. Come to find out I used to live right around the corner in Logan from Brother and Sister Christensen's daughter. We used to walk to school together. After dinner they took us out to the summer mission home which is just a little house on the beach. It was just perfect. The beach was the front yard and Peter went swimming and I went wading. He was standing facing the shore when a wave came in and knocked him down and almost completely covered him. He came up with sand in his eye, nose and a mouthful but he went right back for more.
The next day Sister Ward whose husband is a builder there on a labor mission came to the boat and after lunch we went to their place and spent the afternoon just visiting. At 5:30 the mission put on a program at the boat. It was an 80 voice choir directed by one of the Elders. They sand the Hallelujah Chorus and it was just beautiful. All of them were dressed in white and they looked so sweet and clean. The older people did some song and action dances and everyone was very much impressed with it. They have quite a difficulty there with the French government. They won't let them do to much with the people. They will only allow 12 missionaries for all of the islands. The Church owns a 90 ft. yacht which they use to travel between the islands. It was all very enjoyable, interesting and educational but our stay wasn't too short. We had President and Sister Christensen as our guests at dinner that night. Out of the whole meal they thought the soda crackers were the best as they hadn't tasted any since they left home two years ago.
Sunday morning at 6 we left Tahiti and right off we ran into a storm. I hadn't taken my pills in time so I was down sick all day Sunday and most of Monday. The nurse came in and gave me two suppositories to use, that was about 3:00 and by 6:00 I was able to go down to dinner. After that I kept taking my pills and when we hit a storm Thursday and Friday, I thoroughly enjoyed it. We went down to breakfast Thursday and as we were sitting there, we started to roll to one side and the glasses slid across the table, one pitcher of ice water went all over the floor and dishes slid everywhere. One waitress was coming out of the galley with a tray full of fruit juices and she went down flat with all of the juice on top of here. After that they really wet down the tables. We saw two good movies on the way. We would take turns going-one in the afternoon and the other at night.
The night before we we left the ship a lady who was a little crippled woman, came down to the room and brought the babies a teddy bear and a little mouse that you wind up. Peter wouldn't take the mouse out of his hand long enough for me to put his shirt on. One afternoon as we were sitting in the room some motor or something started up outside and Peter looked up at me and kept repeating something over and over. Finally I caught on and when I said BarrieeTractor, he said "O.K." and then it was Papa's sorse(?). Every meal our waitress gave us a menu. One day Peter started fussing and pointing to my menu so I gave it to him. He sat there real serious like and then pointed at something. The waitresses all made a big fuss over the children.
We docked in Auckland about 8 a.m. Saturday and by the time we got rid of our luggage and most everyone had gotten off the boat we realized that there was no one to meet us. Grant called the mission home and in just a few minutes two Elders were there to meet us. They only had a little Model T Ford so they sent us to the mission home in a taxi. A sister Barber called down to the college and said they would send someone right up after us. That was at 11:30. We stayed at the chapel for a while and then went over to the missionaries' apartment and had pancakes and eggs with them. It was a beautiful warm day and we just wandered back and forth between the chapel and their apartments. About 2:30 Brother and Sister Bradley came after us. They are from Idaho Falls and he is an assistant to Elder Beisinger. It was a lovely drive down to Hamilton. The green rolling hills and rows of trees separating the fields and sheep everywhere.
We were taken to Brother and Sister Rosenvalls to stay. He is the man in charge of building the Temple. That night we went to a Stateside party, all of the Labor missionaries from the sates. There was quite a crowd. They had all of the new ones talk. Sunday morning we went to Church and Sunday evening to a Testimony meeting for just stateside people. In the afternoon Bro. R. took us through the Temple and all around the project. I have only one thing to say. You can't possible imagine the immensity of the thing until you can actually see it. I was just speechless when they asked what I thought of it. I'll try and send you a booklet later on that tells about it better than I can.
Monday Grant went down to the shop and tuned up one of the brothers car and that evening we went to Bro. and Sr. Maxwells for dinner. They were the ones who lived up here first. Tuesday morning I went to the study class that they hold every day for all the sisters who wish to come. They have been studying the D&C. Wednesday morning we left for Kaikohe about 8:30 in a fog with Brother Johnson who is in charge of the lumber treatment. There were six of us with the babies and all our luggage. Our crated things were sent by train. That was the most horrible ride I have ever taken, I believe. The road was worse than the one from Thatcher to Preston only it was 250 miles longer. I was about 3/4 sick all the way so was very grateful to get here.
We have a sweet little home--not so little either. The living room is almost 10x10, has a fireplace, some lovely drapes, an over stuffed set (couch and two chairs) a bookcase, lamp and small table. We have three bedrooms--one has a double bed and the other two each have two single beds. We pushed the two single beds together and put the dresser up to the side and put both babies in there. There is a good sized kitchen--an English bathroom--toilet on one side of the hall and bathroom on the other. In the hall is an automatic washer for which I am very grateful. The yard is in need of planting so I guess we will just have to get busy. There are onions, silver beets (swiss chard) and cabbage in the garden right now.
Kaikohe sees to be up on the mountains but I haven't been around the town too much yet so couldn't say. I'll tell you later on about the English people. The night we arrived, Sister Kohkonen brought over some rolls and I went to town and got a few groceries. They seem to have a fairly good and various supply of everything. They are much more up to date in certain ways than we had counted on.
Grant went to work all day Thursday and I tried to get unpacked and I'm still doing that. We have a hard time to get used to this heat situation--a fireplace that doesn't give off much heat and two little electric fans. Both the babies have quite bad colds. I think it was from kicking out of the covers at night. The don't have pasteurized milk here. We set out a little billy (can) every night and they come around and fill it. It's about two blocks to the store so I think we'll make out fine.
We have some wonderful neighbors who are taking such good care of us. We have a whole basket of grapefruit this morning. Yesterday I played for the singing Mothers to practice and also Jr. Choir, so I'm feeling right at home. The missionaries (proselyting) were here last night for a while, one from Preston and one from Salt Lake.
We feel rather guilty for not having been homesick but everyone is so nice and there is so much to do we don't have time. But we haven't forgotten you nor do we appreciate any less all you've done to make this experience possible. ********I think Peter is more homesick than anyone. He gets the picture album out about 15 times a day. When he first saw the picture of Eloise he got so excited and kept saying "Alwese, mama, Alwese". Now he picks out the pages and Grandma and Uncle "Pheep". His latest is "Doing Mama?" "Doing Daddy?"
Well they are both sitting on top of me and this letter so better close. May the Lord bless you and keep you all and give our love to all. G.Z.P.P.
Dear ones: I copied this letter of Zan's because I thought you would find it very interesting as I did. Be sure and write them even if they don't write you individually. Their address is #9 Hongi Street, Kaikohe, New Zealand. We must all stay close to them through the mail.
Mother (Lucile Clegg)
November 14, 1957
Dearest Family and families:
I'm sitting here practically on top of the heater trying to keep warm. they keep telling me that it is an unusual year and I believe it. In the mornings it may be as warm as a midsummer day and then suddenly, a wind as cold as the north pole itself comes whipping around. I don't know whether it is actually colder than we are used to or if it's because we expected it to be summer.
I just returned from the shop where I was helping Grant with some charts and we straightened out a few shelves etc. We had George Chase staying with the babies. When I got here he had them both in bed with their clothes on. I undressed them and put them in properly but I can see the bedroom door inching open a little at a time. Grant went back down to work as it is necessary that he take an inventory and order the needed parts. It has been quite an undertaking getting adjusted in the work and deciding who should do what. I think they are finally coming to an understanding though. Grant has never been right sure just what his job and responsibility was.
Perhaps I can explain a little about it to help you understand the situation. There are three main sites connected with the operation, the Mill and shop, the log dump, located about three miles out of town, and the bush or the trees to be cut down. In the past during the summer months the mill has been closed down and all effort has been concentrated on stocking the log dump with enough timber to last all winter. This year they are going to try to keep the mill running all summer besides cutting enough to last next winter. This involves two wench trucks, four logging trucks, two dump trucks and two caterpillars besides the ###### (there is a hole in the original letter and these words are missing) machinery, chain saws, the Land Rover and Jeep. The responsibility #### huge ####and one that needs organization and cooperation. I think they ##### worked out the men in charge of the trucks and mill machine ##### of all manner of minor repairs and the maintenance of their ### will take are of all major repairs. He will have to do ##### but only write or phone the order to the college and it will be taken care of. We are going to try and get some pictures of the mill and shop as soon as possible so you will have a little better picture of what goes on.
You mentioned about Halloween in the last letter we had, we had completely forgotten about it until we read the letter and if something isn't planned soon the same will happen to Thanksgiving. We had a very happy wedding anniversary. I made an angel food cake with orange sauce and we had broiled pork chops, a green salad, and new peas and potatoes. We dressed all up for supper and wrote each other a little poem and we were going to the movies but Grant had to go to Elder Dana's for a meeting. Sister Dana came over to visit with me and was here until ten o'clock. Joi tasted the angel cake and decided to make one today. When I asked her how it turned out I thought she was going to cry. After I took one look, I knew why. I'm sure that it wasn't more than three-fourths of an inch high. I don't think I shall make any more; eggs are 62 cents a dozen.
We really do appreciate everyone's letters even tho we don't get them all answered. It is really a problem, I'm afraid our activities are rather limited to write something different to everyone. Tonight Grant was walking over toward the church house and Peter said, "Daddy go to piano lesson?" Usually, when I leave the house for a while and then come back he asks, "Piano lesson, Mama?" It is Friday morning now 7:30 and I have Grant off to work and the dishes done and the children just about dressed. Could you tell me how much those conducting books are? Some of the classes want them. We don't have a baton so we have been using knitting needles.
About Christmas, don't worry about sending anything,. We had our Christmas when we left. They say that Christmas is the day that everyone goes to the beach so all we will have to do is get some swimming togs for the babies and we will be all ready for Christmas. Grant has his Christmas already. He bought him a fishing pole and reel with the refund we had from our state income tax. I think I shall add a little to what is left and get me a complete works of Shakespeare for mine.
The barometer is coming up this morning so I'm hoping that it is warming up but there is still a cold old wind. Peter just informed me that "Dolly fall ofen bed, broken neck." After he had finished his breakfast this morning he took his bib off and then went around and took Paula's off for her. I guess it's time to start preparing for Sunday dinner. Fells are going to spend the day with us again. She is preparing the dessert so I shall only have to worry about the meat and vegetables. I don't believe you told us before that Carlie is working. What hours does she work? Grant got home at 10:00 last night. He was cleaning out cupboards and sorting out parts, etc. We are certainly pleased with the motorcycle. If it wasn't for it, we would be walking much of the time. I'm getting so I really enjoy it. There is something about the wind blowing in your face and all else that goes with riding a cycle that appeals to me. Well, this typing is getting worse and worse so I had better close. I hate to leave blank spaces, but I'm afraid I've run out.
May our Father in Heaven bless you is our prayer. We miss you and only wish you could come and visit us.
Love and Kisses from us all to you all; Grant, Zan, Peter and Paula.
