ANGELA LASSIG: LETTERS FROM MAUDIE The monthly jottings of a free-spirited Ponsonby dressmaker of the 1920s, as imagined by Angela Lassig. VERMONT STREET 15 JULY 1925
Dear Hattie
[i]
I’m having my Wellington friend Ada to stay over the weekend so I must make sure that theree are some delicious edibles in my larder for us to sup on with our tea. On my shopping list are seeds from Girvan’s [ii] for quick growing flowers to put into pots to cheer up my verandah. (Yes, I know that they ering by the weekend!) I desperately need new handkerchiefs won’t be flowering that I think I’lll get from Jeffer’s Irish Linen store in Jervois Road. I remember that they had a very nice selection when we were there in March to buy or your mother’s birthday. Do you remember it? I should go a tablecloth for there first as I also need bread, currant buns, some nice biscuits to have with on and two fat little loin chops for my supper tonight. I don’t tea, eggs, bacon rying that lot too far! I’m hoping that the butcher, Mr. Ryan at want to be carrying Hellaby’s [iii] has kept a meaty bone for Tiger. I think I’ll take him with me on my walk, ass he’s probably feeling housebound too. And it might cheer him deal. up after his ordeal. We had an enormous thunderstorm last ook the house with every boom. evening that shook Tiger, as you know, is completely terrified by d a bad time of it. Unfortunately I was in thunder so had Queen Street when it first began so hurried home as soon as fort poor Tig. After a frantic search I found him I could to comfort rembling in my favourite armchair, his little nose huddled and trembling buried in the corner and his black coat completely obscured by hers that were also scattered throughout my parlour. a layer of feathers After sitting with him for the hour it took for the tempest to pass ross the arms of the chair to form a warm dark cave - with a rug across ly see what he’d done. Not too bad, but I’m going to - I could finally olster the seat cushion which has been shredded to bits. have to reupholster It’s probably a good time to think about getting the whole thing y. If I have time this afternoon I might pop in to see redone actually. Mr. Court [iv] and ask him to give me a quote - he did a lovely job of covering a friend’s chaise. I’ll probably wait until the spring to get it done as I use it most evenings, the parlour being so cosy in winter. rd from Sybil and I had a postcard xwell [v] who are Josephine Maxwell now in France.. They are having ime tootling such a lovely time around in theirr big open osephine touring car. Josephine mentions that she had to el that became change a wheel flat while they were between ’t imagine Sybil villages. I can’t an you? Sybil doing that - can n they’re hungry says that when es stop at a local they sometimes d ask if they farmhouse and me breakfast or can pay for some
+ 66 PONSONBY PONSONBY PARISH NEWS+NEWS July 2012
lunch and usually find the people more than obliging. Sybil says the French villages are as charming as those in England. I would so like to travel abroad one day. Wouldn’t you too? I saw a position in the Star today that I really think I would enjoy terribly! A leading Queen Street shop requires a chocolate dipper! Don’t you think that would just too divine? I suppose that they don’t allow the licking of one’s fingers after each dipping though. I suspect also that one might grow sick of chocolate after a while which would be a real shame. For that reason alone I suspect that I shan’t apply for the position. I’m not sure yet what Ada and I will d do this weekend. I suppose wea it will depend very much on the weather. I do hope that it’s as fer ride is always good and nice as it is today. I think that a ferry th other end of whichever a nice cup of tea and cakes at the route we take. A walk around the domain and a look around the fernery and the hot h houses would also be nice. And there’s always the pictures! I haven’t been to one for Horr at least two weeks. Quelle Horreur!! [vi] ti My goodness! Is that the time?? I must change and an Tiger’s lead. Actually find my shopping basket and h lead is - for his last walk I’m not exactly sure where his he had to suffer the embar embarrassment of being led by a pink ribbon! Well my dear, until my ne next letter Love and kisses,
Maudie xx [i] Hattie is a cou cousin. She is the daughter of one of Maudie’s father’s tw two sisters. She lives in Bulls [ii] R W Girv Girvan, Florist and Seedsman, Ponsonby Buildings, Ponsonby Road (in 1925) [iii] Arthur Ry Ryan, Manager Hellaby Ltd, 320-322 Ponsonby Road (in 1925) [iv] Mr. James Du Duncan Court, Upholsterer, 16 Lincoln Street, Ponsonby (in 1925) [v] Syb Sybil and Josephine Mulvany, ear early Auckland hand weavers [vi] How horrible! (Fr.)
illustration: 99designs
I’m taking the afternoon off to write some letters and potter about as it has become lovely and sunny after a week of rainy miserable weather. I’ve worked exceedingly hard this week and have not only finished my orders, but have had time to sew myself a new skirt. I’ve made it from the most scrumptious Harris Tweed that I cut from a big old jacket that belonged to grandfather. I’m exceedingly pleased with it and might even take it for an outing this afternoon! I really need to take some exercise that I might combine with a little shopping expedition down Ponsonby Road as I’ve quite run out of supplies.
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