Groves And Clark Solicitors In Writing

Below is a letter written by Charles Groves and addressed to Frank Clark dated May 1, 1934, prior to opening the doors of Groves and Clark Solicitors on May 10, 1934.

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Dear Clarkie
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In confirmation of my wire I have the honour to report that the address at Ayr is Queen St. & the phone No. 307 (office).  I telephoned a good boarding house there which was recommended to me & there will be two vacancies there next week.  The address is Wilmington St. & the phone No. 170.  The cost of board & lodging is 35/- per week each which includes washing.  It is about the best we could possibly do.  Had a marvellous trip up particularly from the social standpoint & was nearly converted by a     C. of E. Parson.     Ted Wood will tell you all about it.  Jim Ruddy is a fine chap & has introduced me to everyone that counts in Townsville.  Met Dr. Kelly the R.C. Priest from Ayr & he will do his best for us.  Met the Royal Italian Consul, Dr. Cheife & he will send us everything he can.  Met the     S.M. in Townsville, Mr. Cameron & he gave some good advice.  Met Tom Bonney the Barrister, numbers of solicitors and dozens of other people here.  Jim has no doubt whatever of our success at Ayr & Home Hill.  He wants us to visit the latter place.  The Italian Consul particularly wishes us to do Home Hill.  Hope you are “hot” on the Court work.  There seems to be plenty of it here.  Jim strongly advises Halsburys so I think we had better get them (the old ones).    Greg Anderson regards them as essential also.  Hope you saw Joe ??  re the statutes etc.   I am still in Townsville & I think I shall go to Ayr tonight or tomorrow morning.  I think that your boat will arrive in Townsville on Sunday night about 8 or 9 o’clock.  I would advise you to stay the night there & when the boat leaves next day stay at Buchanans Hotel.  I think the Monday will be a public holiday so Jim Ruddy will not be in the office, so you had better go along to his home on the Strand, Townsville & see him.  I have told him you will do this.  Townsville is a simple place in which to find your way about.  Their office is in Denham St, just about a few doors up from the corner where the post office is.  All the legal firms are together.  If you follow Denham St. right round you will come out on the Strand.  If you enquire at the presbytery (you can’t miss it, anyone will direct you there – it is on the Strand) they will show you where Jim’s place is.  I told him you would like to spend a day or to with him & he will have all precedents ready.  He advises getting the Workers Compensation Act – Cloth Section,  the Cane Prices Act, the Industrial Arbitration & Conciliation Acts, complete.  Do not forget to pay deposit on typewriter.  [some words in brackets crossed out].  Don’t forget to wire me when you reach Townsville.  We want to start out by the 8th or 9th of May.
See you later
Charles
P.S.   There is one thing I did not fix up & that is the P.O. Box No.  We will have to wait until we get to Ayr & put it on the stationery ourselves.  Jim made numerous inquiries concerning you & I told him you were hot stuff & had tons of experience.
CG

The first of four pages of the letter - the original copy is still in the possession of the firm

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