Sobraon
Melbourne
11 January 1886
My dear Chris
I sent you a telegram on the 29th ult. and wrote at the same time but as yet have not received a reply to either. I am waiting to hear from you before sending Alec away, as I thought it probable you might be on your way up here. Are you aware that Mr Jeffray is [indecipherable]. He is going home soon I hear, but have not seen him. His sugar plantations are without value here. He cannot get money upon [?] them. This is what I am told, but he is a man who is likely to rise to the surface again.
In the present state of depression generally you ought to be cautious in your ventures and realize when a fair profit can be obtained [the rest of this line is cut off at the bottom of the page]
sanguine, as I used to be myself at one time.
When I complete the sale of some land I have here I will send you some money to use at your discretion. I should not dream of going to Normanton. You can do far better where you are. Besides the climate must be deadly so far north and a new country. I would say you had a dozen chances at Townsville to one at Normanton on account of the diggings and plantations which will come to the front again before long.
Do you know how Mr Swallow is doing with his sugar business?
Alec will develop genius in engineering or house building. He is slow but has good ability, and is a good fellow, rather apt to forget whether he changed his shirt yesterday or a month ago. He will [the rest of this line is cut off at the bottom of the page]
Where do all your architects and builders come from? You must have been importing skilled labor largely to get so many builders ???? up ???? your best place is fine for building small cheap houses to sell them when finished, don’t you think of giving up your place. You can do more good by staying where you are. It is a certainty and ???? money as best you can by such means as falls in your way. ???? of the distance was not ???? ???? I should liked to have come up, but that is out of the question at present. The present manager of British India Steam Navigation Co served four years with me in the Cospatrick, Mr Hutchinson. I will get a cheap passage out in one of their steamers and come out next year probably.
Melbourne is full of large ships and no prospect of any thing for them to do. We will fill with passengers but cargo except we carry it free is not to be had.
Mater had a few lines from you and will write soon. She and the children are quite well, but we are having queer weather here [rest of line indecipherable]
Your long letter of 3 December is very satisfactory and shows that you have made the best use of your time in office and from your account of investments have been equally diligent in studying finances. If you could but secure two to three thousand pounds and clear out of Townsville, you might ???? by for a time until a chance of good investment turns up. I am convinced that the colonies generally on the eve of a great financial crisis which will affect the colonies XXXX equally and the home markets and share as well.
I had no idea until I was told a few days ago that the prosperity of Victoria and New South Wales has been bolstered up by investors from home. A leading press man told me that 29 millions of money have been received in these colonies last twelve months in the shape of loans for buildings, stations, land and for Government &c. &c. — this accounts for the appearance of prosperity. I expect the same thing ???? to you in some measure.
Write often while I am here.
Ever your loving Father
Jas. A. Elmslie
I am glad to say Edie gets on well where she is, and the experience does her good.