21 February 1886
My dear Chris
I was very glad to get your letter. We were up at W R Thomson’s house at Gisborne then. He very kindly lent it to us for a time.
The children enjoyed their stay and it did them a deal of good. They were getting tired of their long stay on board.
Your father has cut his thumb badly and cannot write so I am to put in a message or two from him. Alec is to stay here. He has got into Rocke Tompsitt’s and has been there now a week. He will get a small salary. He is going to lodge in the same house as Chris Tatham, 55 Queensborough St, Carlton. He seems to like this though.
Your father says that after settling all his affairs here and providing money for Alec’s board etc. he will have more to spare to send you. I shall be glad to have a few pounds worth of curios from New Guinea. I have seen some very pretty pearl shell bangles. I should like some and anything in the fan and spear etc way.
We are taking a good many passengers on the Sobraon with only 2 or 4 in the second cabin. I hope they will be a little more lively than those we brought out with us.
We had a dance on board last Friday. There were about fifty people here, principally Archie, Mr ???? and the boy’s friends. The ship looked very pretty. We had the deck nicely decorated with flags and evergreens and Chinese lanterns, and it really looked very well. It was reported over at Williamstown that the Sobraon was on fire. I suppose from seeing all the red lights.
All the children are very well. I am sorry this was not your year for being down here so that you could have seen them all. I have not had any photos taken so cannot send you any. I hope the girls have written to you pretty often.
Write so as to meet us when we get home. Chris Tatham will be here this evening and I will tell him to write to you and tell you all about himself. He has had a rise and is doing very well and is liked by the people he is with.
Now I must say good-bye.
With much love.
Believe me dear Chris, your affect Mater
Cecilia Elmslie