Sir Maynard Hedstrom

A CHEERY letter, dated mid-June, has been received from Sir Maynard Hedstrom, in California, by Sydney friends. It was supposed that he went to San Francisco last October to receive specialist medical attention. Actually, he

went to the United States to attend to urgent business connected with Morris Hedstrom Ltd., and Lady Hedstrom accompanied him.

They intended to leave San Francisco on their return early in December —but the outbreak of the war with Japan dis organised ah services and they could not get away. This probably saved Sir May nard’s life. On December 16, while becoming reconciled to the idea of a long stay in the United States, he suddenly was attacked by acute appendicitis, and an emergency operation was performed.

He made satisfactory progress for three days, and then he took a serious turn for the worse. The doctors told him after wards that for some days the chances were against him, and he was saved only by the use of one of the miracle-working Sulpha drugs. After that he made a quick and completely satisfactory recov ery.

On learning that their Suva home has been taken over by the authorities for a special purpose, Sir Maynard and Lady Hedstrom decided to remain in Califor nia for the present. They have settled in an apartment at 360 Forest Avenue, Palo Alto, California, and, although they are present in the country only on “visitors’ visas,” they are both looking for a war job.

When Lieutenant G. A. Loudon arrived in Papua a few weeks ago, he went out, in trepidation, to his rubber plantation.

He did not know what he would find.

“But,” he writes on August 24, "I was one of the lucky ones. My house was in perfect condition and all my old ser vants were on tap.”

Sir Maynard and Lady Hedstrom.