Series 01 Part 02: Hughes family correspondence, 3 April 1917-22 September 1918 - Page 264
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[Page 264]
3.
it will be delivered for the New Year if not for Christmas as we had intended. Mother has also written to Mrs Vidal to thank her for her kindness to you.
Mrs. Toohey returned in the "Niagara" (as I said before) on Sunday last. This is Friday. On Monday she wanted to see me at my office, so I went in. Otherwise I had intended to treat myself to a holiday on Christmas Eve. She talked & talked & talked about her own affairs, & then left to go to the Queen's Club to entertain some fellow passenger. When I got home Mother asked me for news of you all. I said "My dear, she never mentioned the name of one of them". Mother was rather mad about it, and naturally enough. However, I shouldn't be making mischief by telling you of these foibles, so please don't tell any of the others. Mother hasn't seen her yet, but no doubt when she does so, she will get all the news. Meanwhile Mrs. Toohey sent her a present of a handbag in black & gold, which arrived tonight, so I have no doubt she means to be kind.
Well, the Conscription Referendum is nearly over, & we are beaten by more than 100,000 more votes than last time. The final blow is given by the soldiers' vote which shows – so far – a substantial majority for NO. There are still about 220,000 votes in all to be counted, but nothing can affect the result. Last time the final NO majority was a little over 71,000. Today it is over 84,000, & increasing with every further count. Last time Victoria had a majority of over 25000 for YES. This time