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Title: McMahon Glynn, Patrick to Glynn, Ellen, 1892
ID4413
CollectionPatrick McMahon Glynn: Letters to his family (1874-1927) [Gerald Glynn O'Collins]
Fileglynn/65
Year1892
SenderMcMahon Glynn, Patrick
Sender Gendermale
Sender Occupationlawyer
Sender Religionunknown
OriginAdelaide, South Australia, Australia
DestinationGort, Co. Galway, Ireland
RecipientGlynn, Ellen
Recipient Genderfemale
Relationshipson-mother
Source
Archive
Doc. No.
Date
Partial Date
Doc. Type
Logunknown
Word Count647
Genreresufal of a big opportunity, family, acquaintances
Note
TranscriptSouth Terrace Adelaide
26th Jany 1892

My dear Mother
Mrs. Ina Madden—J. J. M's widow—is on her way to England
by the S.S. Aruba. She, a Miss Coffey going with her, had tea with
me half an hour ago, and are now on the tender steaming for the
ship. While our festivities were going on, my heart was gradually
sinking to my boots. The fact of it was, the Government had a hue
and cry all over Adelaide for me, orderlies here and orderlies there.
At last a messenger on my own mare, Alma, intercepted me at the
Railway station, so I took the mare and rode home to get a note
offering me the position of Government Resident or Acting Governor and Judge of the Northern Territory at £1000 and £100 house
allowance. I hunted up a pen & ink, borrowed some paper, and
wrote declining the offer. The fact is, when the Chief Secretary
privately asked me about it last week, I said I would give him an
answer on Monday morning. I did—saying I would go for £1250,
and the Cabinet tonight said they proposed to appoint me at £ 1000
and £100 house allowance. This I declined. They will probably
tomorrow offer me the higher figure. I hope they don't. It is a
great honor—Governor of a place about as big as Russia in Europe
—Supreme Court Judge—with Governor's Residence on one of the
finest harbors in the world, and power to boss about 5000 Chinese,
200 or 300 whites, and a few Japanese. But it is within 13 degrees
of the equator, three weeks from here, or 14 days by steamer from
Brisbane. See the Map—Palmerstone on Port Darwin Harbour,
North of Australia. I am afraid I love human nature too much to sit
alone in official Splendour for a few years. I would have to entertain
local celebraties and foreigners—meaning about £500 a year altogether
for living—while perhaps one's heart might get starved for
friendship or the possibilities of love. However, I am writing now
about Mrs. Madden. She will try to run over to Ireland to see you.
She will write to you from London, when perhaps you could direct
her what to do and what friends to call on in Dublin. I think you
will like her. Mrs. Madden tells me she met Mother Bernard in
Melbourne. The Bergins never write, nor do I hear much from the
others. Eugene seems to [be] going on well. There are no others
here of interest to you. I must close this scribble and run out to find
a stamp. Eugene sent me the photo of Mrs. James. She ought to
make him happy. With love to all

Your affectionate Son
P. McM. Glynn