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"THE AUSTRALIAN CONNECTION"
„Down under" was the usual description used by Englishmen for the former penal colony Australia, a part of the British Empire, organized till this day as a parliamentary monarchy whose head is the queen of England, just as for New Zealand. Continents and countries that lay in the southern hemisphere of the planet, far below other settled areas”. Against widespread opinion Australia is not only populated by Aborigines and Kangaroos but there was also a booming business and its' exponents were naturally dealing with Lloyd’s.
It was John, who unexpectedly brought in a new client from „down under“ - Australia. It came at the right time as our business had gained an unacceptable moment of inertia. A broker colleague from another firm had passed the client on to us in the hilarious assumption that we were specialists in the insurance of yachts. God knows what John had told him after the second bottle of Macon and a decent finders' fee had been agreed upon. The client was an Australian entrepreneur who had come to London to find here an authorization to get a Binding Authority for an Australian Pleasure craft Account. In the professional jargon he was seeking the status of a Lloyd’s cover holder.
„That’s something for you".
John said during the morning coffee, puffing on his cigarette.
„Why? “
I asked, suspiciously
"You are the expert, I mean, you sailed the Fastnet Race - didn’t you?"
"I see your point,"
Was my answer. I had meanwhile learned to be open to all possibilities and not to argue with John - it was pointless. But in honesty, at the time I new zilch about Yacht Business and Australia.
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May, 4th
It is my birthday. A certain Fred Jefferson announced he would visit this morning. Moira said she had seldom had such a charming man on the phone. Her eyes were beaming. God knows what he told her! There are people who win women even on the telephone, and Fred Jefferson was one of that type. At 10.30 the visitor came. Moira opened the door with a radiant look and led him into our office.
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