taggerty

There were hints in Con’s earlier letters that she was no longer happy living at Carron Vale, so it was very likely at her urging that in 1927 the decision was made to sell up.

1927 advertisement for sale of Carron Vale, Mooroolbark

Here are some more of Con’s letters kept by Archie, which I’ll quote in full as they give so much insight into life at Carron Vale, as well as into the strange Connie herself.  In September 1927 Archie had gone on another trip with Lynn Kirk, this time to Peterborough, presumably the “extended tours” referred to in the advertisement.

 20/9/27
Carron Vale
Mooroolbark

 My adorable sweetheart,

Another fine day for you. We had loads of rain yesterday & Tues night. Yesterday was a muddle. Your kind Mr. Groth motored up & arrived about 7 am. then[?] got ginger[?] – none of us knew – & went to drive the sheep home – but the naughty railways did not send them by that train – so he came back and had b.fast & said he thought H[arold] and I were away with you. He said he must be in town at 2.20 pm & came out about to say goodbye. However he stayed morning tea & left at 12 o’clock!! I enjoyed his company. It started to rain about 10 o’clock & kept on until night. H. & Maxwell left here at 2 pm & arrived home at 6.30 pm wet to the skin. H. is very excited about 115+ sheep all in good order. Harold was up early this morning to look at them. This afternoon he drove Mrs. J[olly] to Lilydale & then came home. We have just had a lovely afternoon tea – fresh yeast buns & coffee – a cig for Harold & Miss T[affin] & now H. is going to meet Mrs. J. Maxwell is putting in potatoes today – ripping afternoon after rain – We are reading a book by George Gibbs.

Goodbye darling – I am so glad the days are fine. Have you invited anyone beside Marian and Lynn for Cup weekend?* It will be heaven to see you again – I miss you so darling & what heaven to see you again. I had a good sleep last night. Lots of love & kisses,

From your loving little girl.

*Let me know

Love to Lynn & Mr. Mylers[?]

Peg and Harold at Carron Vale, photo dated “12.9.27”

14/10/27
My precious darling,

This is just a tiny note. I was pleased to receive your wire. What glorious weather for bathing & everything. I have had several letters to write & am very tired – no wire on several window [sic] & crowds of flies – also nothing for cool safe so have been fixing[?] things up. There is not any news darling, only old & that is I miss you very much. Miss Taffin is very sweet. Maxwell brought the dray home and says it is very nice. Harold is away in town & am looking forward to Peggy’s return tomorrow. Have not seen a paper since Wednesday. The asparagus is lovely. Hope you heard from the agent – the garden and orchard are a dream.

Goodbye my very precious sweetheart – lots of love & kisses

From your loving little girl.

Love to Lynn

PS. Will we wait until your return before selling cow as we do not know price you want – anyway I suppose it can wait xxx

15/10/27
Saturday

My very precious sweetheart,

I received your letter & wire today & needed them very much darling, for I miss you terribly & now I know you are not coming home so soon, I needed a letter. Strange to say, Harold brought word from Mrs. Haege saying she did not think she could come so I will write & ask her to come another weekend. Hilda came today – has had diahorrea for a week, so has gone to bed early. The other four are playing Mah Jongg [sic] Maxwell is in town seeing Faust. Harold caught a bronze wing today so Mrs. Jolly is cooking it for me – also rabbits & we had a lovely rabbit pie tonight & most people ate it. The garden is wonderful – if only some one would come & see the place – never have I seen such a glorious view & the grass & trees are glorious but it is dooming me, making me old – I know it & I am sad for I do want a chance before I get too old. The peace of that old room in the Occidental was wonderful. I will try to go to sleep now darling. Do wire & let me know the day you are coming home. I am glad you will not have that long journey alone. I am content to know the date you return & then I can live for that day when my darling returns, the most adorable man in the world. Sunday dinner 1.30. Just waiting for my sweet. The pigeon was lovely. Harold, Peggy & Miss Taffin having some in turns. It was a perfect day & you will be enjoying every minute. The boys went round the rabbit traps & played golf & are going to Croydon this afternoon. Harold’s suit is perfect. He looks ripping in it & you were a darling to buy him such a beauty. They are both going now & very proud I am of our big son. I will write later on darling. Mrs Jolly has been very scotty[?] & last[?] two day [sic] & it makes me weak thro & thro. 9.45 pm The whole family are in bed & all is quiet. I just want you my darling but I know you are happy & having a wonderful rest, which you need with your busy life. Hilda is better tonight. She lost some weight. She is happy & love[?] the children. The boys enjoyed their golf. Peggy & Miss Taffin had a round of golf. The latter is well & happy. Peggy’s team won on Saty. I do hope you have written to that Mr. Caite. Isn’t it lovely Peggy gets her long weekend. She is very thrilled. Now goodnight darling, even if I am tired I must write to you, it keeps me company. Now I will turn the light out. Little Peg is in your bed. Another goodnight my adorable sweetheart,

Your loving little girl xxx

News clipping of Peg Beatty at Kooyong playing for Fintona in the Schoolgirl’s Tennis Championships, Oct 1927

18/10/27

My beloved sweetheart,

I am sending you Jean Martins[?] account for Peggys coat. I do not think we should keep her waiting for I am sure she is not getting money in & lots to pay out – so post a cheque by return please darling.

Harold spent most of his day (Monday) shooting & fixing his rabbit traps. He waited nearly an hour for some bandycoots [sic] in Ahern’s paddock but hadn’t any luck. Mr. Hannah & Mrs. Sam came over. Mr. Sam is down & leaving on Friday – returning for Cup – they will enter for golf but may not play – I do not know when the foursome is, have you decided on your partner yet? Mr. Hannah gave Harold a French tie – it is narrow so I think you will have it – very pretty. There is not any news darling. I am hoping for a wire today. Wasn’t it lucky that Mrs. Haege could not come – though she said as H. was leaving “If I can get some[?] to mind the house I will come” – so I wrote to her & said we would arrange another weekend as your friends had decided to stay on. I didn’t want to give her a chance of changing her mind. It will be hot today. I am so thrilled to know what glorious weather you are having. I sent you a wire yesterday so you would know you could stay on as soon as possible. Mrs Jolly is showing Miss Taffin how horrid she can be about all her work & us – but Miss Taffin is not going to tell me any more. I asked her as my head was bursting & felt I could not stay here another minute – so now I will have peace for Miss T. is very sensible & sweet. She got a surprise for she didn’t think Mrs. J. could be such an old —. Just as well in a way, for it will make Miss Taffin careful what she says to her. I am growling to you my darling, but it helps & I miss you terribly at night. Life is nothing without my adorable man & it will be heaven to see you again – about 8 more days isn’t it? If it is longer sweetheart I do not mind. I just want you to be happy & well – & later on when we leave here I shall be happy & well & life will start afresh again. I am living for that chance.

Joey is in the country & nurse had spent a night with her. Miss Taffin is managing beautifully & she is so sweet & thoughtful. Never mention to her about repeating Mrs. J.’s horridness because I have, & it would hurt her if you did. This is just in case you might. Goodbye darling – a lot of love – which is so much you could never realize it. Take care of yourself sweetheart & we are all well. Harold is looking well & is outside all day.

Your loving little girl
Xxxx

Friday 20/10/27

 Sweetheart mine,

This is a tiny note. I adored your letter yesterday & am so delighted to hear you are having such a ripping time. Mrs. Cross is coming over this afternoon. Later on in afternoon Harold & Miss Taffin are motoring to Croydon to shop. She has not been out since you left & it will do her good. The sheep look very picturesque & are enjoying the lovely grass. Peggy will return home tomorrow. Paul will motor up tonight. Will you want more than Marian & Lynn for next weekend? Gor[don?] will not be here dear, so arrange everything you require or you will not have a four for bridge. Now my very adorable sweetheart the space is ended. Just lots & lots of love & kisses & I suppose you will be home Wed night.

From your little girl xx

22/10/27

So glad to receive your letter sweetheart & I know you will not be staying any longer because the weekend will be too near. Peggy has just come home. It is good to have her & she & Miss Taffin are so jolly together & I can look on & enjoy without exerting myself. Paul motored up last night much to Harold’s joy – we had tea in the sitting room – 3 course & ale. This afternoon they have gone to golf. Dr. & Mrs. Cross called yesterday. I hope you asked for a P[ostal] N[ote] from Mr. S. in three months, only thing to do darling. Maxwell is going to town to a theatre & so I will get this ready for him. I find he is going in a minute so must close. Peg is sitting by me having a huge afternoon tea. They lost today & therefore lose the championship. Goodbye my very precious adorable sweetheart. It will be heaven to see you again. Life is quite empty without you darling

Your loving little girl xxx
Very kind regards from Miss Taffin
xxx From Peg

Miss Taffin must be a substitute companion for Con while Miss Wad is on leave or something, as Waddy is not mentioned in these letters at all.

Some of the following photos then are the last taken at Carron Vale:

In December 1927 Peg also left school and like Harold she remembered her schooldays as the happiest time of her life. Most of her many school friends remained her lifelong friends. For the three years from 1925 she had been a House Captain, and in 1927 she was a School Prefect and played for the Fintona tennis team.

Peg’s Fintona prefect badge

Here is her 1927 school report for Form V:

Term 1 is blank except the principal has written “As most of Peggy’s time has been given to music she has not been placed in her form. Next term I should like to see her take a more active part in the life of the form. She is a good Prefect”

In Term 2 she obtained 217 marks out of a possible 600 and was 19th in the class. Her scripture was “good” and her French was “improving”.

Term 3 is completely blank again, except the Principal has written “Peggy’s quiet strength & gracious manner have endeared her to us all”

HAP found this “report” astounding and years later could still quote it accurately! I don’t think many people who knew Peg would argue with the wording though.

In May 1927 she obtained a credit in the AMEB exam for Pianoforte Grade 111. Con must have written a kind note to Peg’s music teacher who responded to her:

19/6/27 “I am very proud of Peggy’s achievements. It was a test, not only of endurance, but of self-control, method of practice and patience on her part…she possessed great strength of purpose, nice power of concentration and above all a beautiful disposition that responded cheerfully to the most severe criticism…it had been said to me that by facing such an uphill task I was risking a breakdown in Peggy’s health and I was very pleased & gratified…”

By this time Sturdie Oldham was working on Tubbo Station as a jackeroo. He later told us that he had been keen on Peg since she was 14. It looks as though he didn’t want to let her forget him while he was away because her photo albums from this period have many photos of Sturdie and of stud rams, horses, horse-drawn wool wagons, sheepdogs in action and so on that he sent her:

By Christmas 1927 the Beatty family had left Carron Vale and were living at 6 Toorak Court, Toorak Road. Peg was given her first car, an Armstrong Siddeley.

Peg with her new Armstrong Siddeley, December 1927

The Littleton family had a beach house at Pt. Lonsdale where the Beattys and Blairs sometimes went for holidays. Just to make it clear where they are, Peg took a photo of the Point Lonsdale Lighthouse. As far as I can tell, this is our earliest photo with Gwen Littleton.