BROTHERS SPEAK.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 20, 25 January 1939, Page 9

BROTHERS SPEAK.

11,000 MILES APART. ONE IN LONDON—OTHER IN NEW ZEALAND. "HOW IS UNCLE JOE?" (Special—By Air Mail.) LONDON, December 27. Two brothers, 11,000 miles apart, spoke to each other for file first time in 27 years when Conway Teppett, prosperous farmer, of Palmerston North, New Zealand, phoned brother Robert, a clerk in the West Ham, London, Education Department. Twenty-seven years ago Conway gave up his job with a Forest Gate, London, furnishing firm, married a Forest Gate girl, and sailed for New Zealand. He has a son of 24 and a daughter of 22. Robert was warned by the Post Office to expect a long-distance call on Christmas Eve. He .said: "I'll bet it's from Conway," and arranged for it to be put through to his office. At ten minutes to four in the afternoon his telephone bell rang, and he called, "Hello, is that you. Con?" "Yes, Bob," replied the voice 11,000 miles away. "How are you all in Mother England! Give my love to all at home." Although it was four o'clock in the morning in New Zealand, Conway, his wife and family got up for the call. All gave Robert their greetings. Then for eight minutes the two brothers talked rapidly of memories and changes of 27 years. j Robert told a reporter: "I didn't recognise my brother's voice. It has altered to a strong colonial accent. We didn't waste a second. Con, who loves the old country, asked me many questions about conditions in England. "When I told him it was snowing here he said they were in the middle of a hot summer. He and his family were leaving the next morning on their annual motoring holiday in the country- j

"He asked about our Uncle Joe, and I told him he was as fit as a fiddle." Uncle Joe is Mr. Joe Teppett, aged 92, of Felpham, near Bognor Regis. He was at Khartoum with Lord Kitchener. The call cost Conway Teppett more than £5. "If it had been £50," said Robert, "it was well spent."