19 Anerley Park
London S E
29 June 1888
My Dear Chris
I know you will like to hear from me, although I have no fresh news of interest to give you.
The summer has not yet begun, the first ten days after arrival the winds were north and east and cold enough for winter. The last ten rain has come down incessantly. I have kept myself employed at home for several days, the rain making it impossible to have any enjoyment outside.
I hope you saved enough water during the rainy months to keep the work of crushing going on steadily through your dry season. Your railway will no doubt be in course of laying down and I hope completed before the next wet season sets in.
I have not heard from you, neither have I seen anyone who knows anything of Croydon since coming home. I mean to go to the Rawson’s tomorrow if the weather will but hold up who may have heard late news. I am looking for a letter daily from yourself or Alec.
When in Melbourne I asked Webber to send on the Melbourne papers for the year. I see the bill comes to about £4. If you don’t want them continued write and tell him so or leave out any you don’t care about.
I find the cost of the house we are now living in is almost as much as when in Bedford – the girls cost so much money one way and another.
Jessie and Jean have a wonderful capacity for spending. Jean is to be married in September and Jessie being of age I shall get rid of them both this year.
May has now been in Germany a year – she is going to stay for the next three months with a young lady of good family in Germany as a companion, probably may be retained longer. I hope she will.
Edie has been at home for a fortnight and has just gone back to her place, she is with a nice family who are very much attached to her and give her enough to keep her clad without much keep from me, and she is very happy.
With all the younger members of the family still on my hands I don’t see that I can give up my ship, although I have a most earnest wish to do so. When you get wealthy and can help me somewhat, I may. One thing is certain – neither I nor the Sobraon can go on much longer, and when I leave off what is there open for me to do at my age? Younger men fill all places worth having now-a- days.
I hear that the silver mine excitement has revived at Melbourne again lately and ???? has increased in value immensely. This will ???? up soon now that you have a change of ministry in Queensland. I suppose the Separation Movement will remain in abeyance. You must not let McIlwraith try on any big ???? such as he attempted last time he was in office, the Cross Country railway scheme I mean if you don’t know the history of it you ought to.
We are all well, hope you and Alec are. Write and tell us what you are doing.
With love from all at home, and from your affectionate Father
Jas A Elmslie
PS
Captain Hector has made one trip in the Ocean.” Harry Lambert was Second with him. Hector has now stopped behind to marry a young girl of seventeen years and will take his original ship the Brittannia.
The Weekly Times is sent to you every week – see that you get it.
I will address a letter to Alec by next week’s mail. Give him loving messages from all. Archie goes up next week for his exam.
I have just seen Rawson at his office. He is going to fix a day to meet Brandon who has just returned next week. Rawson says London people won’t look at gold mines at present.
When you reply to this (I shall be at home to end of September) give me all the information possible and prospects of different claims.