14 Queen Street
Melbourne
18 January 1886
My dear Chris
Your letter of 6 January just received. It takes a long time coming.
I sent you a telegram on 29 December. You do not mention it. Please let me know.
I am disappointed to find you are to leave Alpin & Brown. Under the circumstances I don’t think it would do to send Alec up to you. Unless you can give me a certainty of being in employment, I shall not let him come. He is not like most boys and would want a little coaching first so as to find out what he could be best adapted for. He is not much of a writer and desk work would not suit him. I don’t know what he could do here in Melbourne but as you are circumstanced it is better that he should stay here at present.
I intend sailing on or about the 12th of next month. Am dropping wheat at ???? to ballast. I have booked ₤2000 passage and hope to fill.
Will write you soon again. Reply to this sharp.
Your loving Father
Jas. A. Elmslie