London
13 June 1890
My dear Chris
We got home on the 4th after an agreeable voyage, stayed over the Easter holidays at the Cape and four and a half days at St Helena. I found all well at home. Archie and I are also quite well.
I found several letters here from you and Alec, the last dated 29 March. It is gratifying to find you both in such good health after the deluged state of your country. I feared the fever would accompany the drying up of the land.
With the decomposed vegetation the long continued rains ought to have provided you with a stock of water sufficient for twelve months at least enabling the mines to go on crushing and I hope paying something in dividends. If you get a chance sell out of my shares in W2 Queens. at a profit if that is possible which I think should be done after you pay a dividend or two. I am not in want of the money but at same time should prefer selling out to holding. I can’t afford to lose and that is what would be done by continuing to hold. I would be very happy to think that you could clear out of Croydon with a few thousand while it is in a prosperous state.
A letter from Alec dated 17 April says Cave has left Croydon in disgust – how is that? I thought he was going to do great things with a new machine he took out.
I have been very busy since coming home in various ways. The important matter of selling the ship has occupied my time considerably. Mr Devitt and I have been discussing the subject with the Agent General, and today we put before him a formal offer which he will wire and write to the Ministry at Sydney. Probably we may get a reply within a week. We ask a stiff price but I think they will accept her, they seem to have their minds upon the ship. I have had great difficulty in persuading Mr Moore to sell. He would not hear of it at first but it is really the wisest course. The ship is getting old and underwriters won’t have her at any price. Shipping is now and will be very depressed for some time to come – freights are down very low to nothing, shipping no end of steamers laid up. Should we sell and I take her out, I would come home by way of Queensland and pay you a visit.
I hope Alec has got his photographer’s case – it has been a long time on its way. I will write Alec and you also next week.
We are all well and trust this will find you the same.
Your affectionate Father
Jas A Elmslie
PS:
We have the papers you sent with the account of the loss of the Quetta. it seems an unaccountable accident and some of those saved seems almost miraculous. What you say about knowing how to swim is quite correct and will not be neglected here. Archie is going to take the boys to the baths often. The girls will also go when it gets a bit warmer. At present the weather is cold.
The Poplar people are all pretty well. Your uncle is not very flourishing financially. Chris Tatham had been speculating in silver shares and asked me to lend him money which I refused to do. Don’t you let him have any. Stupid fellow, he has got himself saddled with the whole family of his wife and has degraded himself socially beyond recovery
Goodbye JAE
George Amor has broken with Alice. His father has a dock of his own and George is with him
JAE
3pm, 13 June
I have just returned from Towin – the offer has been made to the Sydney Government of the Sobraon delivered in Sydney Harbour for sixteen thousand. I do not think they will give this sum but think eventually she will be purchased as they seem to think she will answer better than any other ship they can get hold of.
I am afraid you won’t think much of the girls’ letters, Coral’s especially. Mater meant to have written to you but has to keep her bed. The weather is horridly cold and rainy at present, not like June
JAE