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Fr Ketterer writes from Gt. Billing, Northamptonshire: The Studio had been difficult to let and when he informed the Bishop he was told to do what he could. He let to Mr Smith with no formal agreement (as supported by Mr King, Mr Pauling's agent) and sub-letting was not mentioned. He did not liking this way of doing things.

Writing from The Catholic Presbytery, Ely, Cambs., Fr Ketterer says: "The Presbytery at St Ives was built by me in the Summer of 1906. I occupied it for nearly two years, leaving St Ives on my appointment to Gr. Billing in May 1908."

Writing from Great Billing, Fr Ketterer did not authorize the cookery room or the W.C. - did not know about them until months later. Similarly about the key and the sub-letting. He had intended to protest but in the hurry of his departure which was quite unexpected he completely forgot the matter.

Requests assistance from the Poor Mission Fund. He has had repairs in both the House (flooring fell in) and the Studio (had to make flooring good for any new tenant). The £35 is beyond his ability to meet; he has not asked for many years; would Canon Tonks put in a good word for him?

Thanks Canon Tonks for putting his application before the Finance board. Mission income is:
Endowment £10.8.9 quarterly = £41 15
Rent studio - £10 per annum = £10
Rent Yard - £5 per annum = £5
Collections / Altar Fund c. 7/- per week = £16 16
Total is £73.11.0 per annum
Studio, let in May to an artist, vacant for many months before that. Describes the rotting floors and ascribes it to the severe flooding of 1912.

Addresses Fr Tonks as "Canon". Mr Kiddle (took over from Mr Cotman till August) asks if they will take less rent and if the Studio is for sale. Currently in use as a furniture store. Asks for guidance as Fr Purcell is not good at business transactions. Mr Cotman owes rent (£10) when the tenancy expires.

Thanks for £20 towards cost of repairs.

Problems in getting the rent for the Studio. The current tenant (W.W. Milne) is a good fellow but slow payer. He pays in the end but Fr Purcell finds it disagreeable to keep on asking. So he put the business into the hands of an agent King & Gifford in September 1929 but cannot get the money out of them; no word from them from that day nor any answer when he writes to them. The tenant seemed to be two years in arrears, but when Fr Purcell spoke to him he had paid the agent up until August 1930. The agent has not responded to any demands for an account or settlement. Even saying that the matter was being put into the hands of the Diocesan Trustees and their solicitor (Fr Purcell thought that "nice and dramatic") but no response.

Fr Purcell omitted to say in his last letter that the work has been done to his satisfaction.

Fr Purcell enclosed Mr Skeeles account for the Studio repairs. If everything is in order he'd be pleased to have a cheque, at the convenience of the Finance Committee.
pencil annotation on side 2 listing 5 prices totalling £8.4.6

Responding to a letter of the day before, Fr Purcell declines to have anything to do with the matter. "With deference" he suggests that Trustees make decisions and bear the cost of them in relation to this property. Being asked "To settle it in the interests of the Mission" only means he must bear the cost - he declines. It is not the lease, but the need to assist with repairs. Also suggests that the diocese bears the cost of consulting Mr King.

Fr Purcell is adamant that the Board of Trustees are not helping his Mission by their propositions. They should tell Mr Skeeles whether or not they are going to support his suggestion. Their inference that Fr Purcell is responsible for the neglect of the properties does not go down well. They can think that if they wish, but whether they are justified to do so is another matter. Fr Purcell states that his knowledge of Mr Pauling is that he would not accuse anyone, openly or covertly, of such neglect. Neither would he think that St Ives is in a position to spend money on repairs. Caustically, Fr Purcell says he might be mistaken that an objective of the Board is to assist Poor Missions ("with barely sufficient income"). Does the board say it is his fault and he must "personally pay the expense?".

He has read Mr Cotman's letter forwarded to him by Fr Tonks. Fr Purcell details the many problems in the state of repair of the Studio. Consulting Mr Skeeles it is apparent that the water ingress through the roof is very bad and makes the place untenantable in wet weather. It will require more than just replacing the slates. Fr Purcell says "my exemplary predecessors don't seem to have troubled their heads about the property beyond getting the money for them". He is completely ignorant of the terms of the sub-let tenancy and "my exemplary predecessors have not left any statements to guide me". He has just learnt from Mr Cotman that another arrangement had been made for the lease directly with the Trustees, of which Fr Purcell is completely ignorant. He finishes by saying "I am afraid £5 is a material consideration here".

Reminding Fr Tonks that Mr Skeeles is requesting assistance for repairs, which he says was not in good repair prior to becoming tenants. Fr Purcell does not want the role of landlord - he will accept rent for the benefit of the Mission, but if the diocese should take the rent directly then fine so long as they make up the difference to the Mission. St Ives does not have the surplus to make up such difference; neither should the parish priest have to use his "meagre income" meet such expenses. Fr Purcell then refers the matter back to the owners!

Fr Wilson has discussed the Studio with Mr King (Mr Pauling's agent in St Ives). Mr G A Smith's additions have improved the letting value of the Studio. Still thinks £20 per annum is excessive and they are unlikely to return the Studio to its previous condition. He includes a copy of the receipt for the rent paid , £10, which is all he has received,

Writing from the Studio, St Ives. Enclosed a rent cheque for £15. Work done to the room has made him considerably more comfortable. Pleased to see [Fr Tonks?] if he is in the neighbourhood. p.s. "I never can remember the dates for paying such."

Writing from a Fulham, London address. Fr Tonks will agree with him that something needs to be done with the roof of the Studio . It could not have bene in structural repair when he took it over.; quite untenantable. "This is very distressing to me as I have a good deal of work to accoplish in the room." He cannot be expected to bear the burden of repairs.

Writing from a Fulham, London address. Studio keys are with Mrs Claude Smith - The Cross (Tailor). Mr Skeeles knows the trouble - he is my neighbour and a builder having a yard at the back. Unable to say when he can get to St Ives to meet Fr Tonks.

Frederic Cotman, returned last Thursday to find the roof of the Studio so "distressfully", wishes to know who is bound to do the repairs. He does not want the burden of the whole of the outside repairs on his shoulders. Mr Jackaman, his lawyer in Norwich, made a mistake in his transaction with Mr Day who acts for Mrs Smith. Cotman will do his duty but wants fair play. Fr Purcell knows of this case. Cotman cannot stand the expense and asks for an interview with Fr Tonks.

Note that his offer has been declined. His client will therefore arrange to assign the lease to Mr Cotman, or someone else if needed.