Via Brindisi
8 Gt. Winchester St. E.C.
22 December 1885
My dear Chris
I was very pleased to get your letter and to hear that you were all right. Your trip along the coast of New Guinea must indeed have been most interesting and I should have much liked to have been with you. I believe that such a country cannot much longer remain comparatively neglected.
I showed your letter all round at 69 East India Dock Rd. and they were pleased to hear of you.
Opossum and kangaroo skins – I don’t think yours would be a good port to ship from, and as I told you I have made arrangements with Melbourne. But as regards shells – you ought to be able to buy these well at Townsville being so close to the fisheries at Thursday Island, and if you are able to do so I could put some business in your or your firm’s hands.
If you will tell me about the quantity procurable, the cost per cwt cf&i freight opportunities etc I would give you a trial order. Payment I could make here to your agent in exchange for bill of lading etc as I could doubtless arrange for one of the banks to pay your invoice cost against you’re your handing them documents in Townsville.
It is really worth your while to give the matter attention, as if the quality and price are all right, I could give you ??? orders throughout the year.
Could you make any contract with the fishers to sell all they got to you at a uniform price, and for me to pay you the same plus charges commission etc?
The kind of shell you should try to get is the flattest, smoothest, largest, but thinnest in proportion to its size, and most free of the grubby or crinkly part in the centre, also free of blisters. This is the kind you should aim at although of course I know to a great extent you are obliged to take them as they come. If you can get me really a nice parcel as a trial you might send me say up to ₤50 worth provided the cost be not more than ₤7 per cwt cf&i. You would of course insure them, and I would pay your agent Invoice cost in exchange for documents. Mark the packages ??? and ship by steamer or sailing vessel as you think best, and if you cannot ship them from Townsville you can pass the order on to Brisbane where I know they are shipped,
I am anxious to see what you can do in these shells. If you and your firm are not acquainted with the thing at all I should be pleased if you would give me the name of anyone you know who would do the thing properly. Of course you understand you must charge commission &c. but I am sure you will keep these charges as low as possible to encourage the business.
We are having anything but Xmas weather, although a little while ago it was very cold and we had some skating.
Business generally is wretched especially ours with the East. The Dollar is now worth ¾ and the Rupee 1/6 and no prospect of improvement, and you know what such a low rate of exchange means.
I hope you will have a happy and jolly Xmas and a prosperous New Year and hoping to hear soon from you.
I remain, faithfully yours
Geo F Amor