WCP35

[1]

Parkstone, Dorset.

Nov^r. 15th. 1901

My dear Will¹

Enclosed rough tracing will show how I have remedied the big closet in small room & made a great improvement in house, as it gives a view no other room ^window has, and a good broad window-cill [sic] for Ma’s² flowers with a N.E. aspect only getting the morning sun.

We have also greatly improved the Ground Plan by cutting off 6 feet from the bedroom behind drawing-room, closing up the [2] doorway to Hall, and making entrance from Work-room. This will probably be your room. The 6 ft. off has china cupboards at end, shelves at side — and housemaids sink in corner, making it a small Housemaid’s pantry & storeroom which was badly wanted. Also the kitchen, wh. was too small, is enlarged by a broad bay-window 4 feet deep which will hold the table & leave nice room.

I³think after all — "Old Orchard" will be a better name than "Ellersbye" being descriptive & less common. There are "Ellerbyes" at Parkstone & Bournemouth.

To day, we have been with your Aunt Flora⁴ to the Old Orchard, inspected the whole domain & she has taken several views [3] which you will see in due course. We have found today for the first time a fine holly tree or bush in a good position, & several other nice features.

I have engaged a gardener & begin laying out garden on Monday. — I have also ^{designed &} ordered two gates, marked about a dozen ugly or crowded trees to be cut for fencing posts, engaged 2 or 3 men to begin road-making on Monday — & then putting up the fence. As to the Builder’s son being clerk-of-the-Works, you misapprehend the position. The Builder, — Mr. Curtis — is Carter’s head manager who has superintended the building for him of 130 houses on his [4] Estate at Hornchurch in Essex. Carter lends me his services to help me in designing & building the house, I paying of course for all the time he gives to it. His son will be paid a regular salary by me, and will have no interest except to please me & Mr. Carter. Mr. Curtis Sen^r. quite understands my ideas ^{& seems to take an interest in them — he} will have the plans drawn in their office & a general specification & estimate of quantities made. I shall buy the timber of Norton of Poole, who — Carter says — treats everyone alike, & supplies good timber of all kinds as low as anybody. For other materials he will give me the prise [sic]-lists of the wholesale people they deal with & I shall pay ready money for everything. Parts of the work — as the bricklaying — will be subcontracted for locally, I buying the materials. So I think it will be all right. I expect the working drawings will all be ready by the time you come at ‘Xmas, & we will fix exact site for house.

Your affect^te. Pa | A. R. Wallace — [signature]