Melbourne
27 December 1887
My dear Chris
We got here safely on the 22nd. Archie and myself are quite well.
I am disappointed at not meeting with a letter from you, and am anxious to know how you are. I send you this on the chance of your being still at Croydon, meantime will send you a telegram tomorrow, which I hope you will reply promptly to.
I have no news of interest to give you. The voyage was favourable and speedy, and no casualty happened. Baker and Samson both joined the
P & O last summer, and Archie is chief and does well. I find things in the freight way better than for some years past, but there is no certainty of their continuing so long. The wheat crop has not begun to come down yet.
Sailing ships are steadily decreasing in number, not more than half the number are here this year, but steamers increase and come and go so quickly they are scarce seen.
Capt. Hector was appointed to the Britania]. She was put on shore by the Pilot going up the Thames from Glasgow and Hector had to stop behind for an inquiry. I suppose he will be reinstated again. D & M purchased Green’s ship the Melbourne for Goddard. She sailed from Plymouth 24th Sept., we left on the 4th Oct, the Melbourne has not turned up yet. Meantime Barratt left on the Rodney on the 16th Oct. arrived in Sydney on the 26th inst. – a very ???? passage. Goddard will be much disgusted when he comes and finds his place has been taken by Barratt.
I hope you have been in some measure successful in your enterprises, and see your way to leave Croydon for a better climate. Rawson and his partner would do all for you as well as any one, if they were provided with the requisite information; not knowing anyone else who would undertake that sort of thing. You must have an agent, and one who knows and can give information about the scheme, when you have a big thing on hand. The best thing to do is to come yourself, and urge it on the public, there are many difficulties in the way. So many schemes have been floated of late, many of not much value. The Exchange is chary of countenancing.
Since I was here last there has been another great land racket and City properties have in many cases changed hands several times in a few months, and tripled their first value; the price paid for many sites cannot possibly yield a fair interest it all means and great and serious collapse soon, which will do a great deal of harm to the community.
Sydney is beginning to suffer in this way, property in the best part of the City is unsaleable.
I have not heard from Alec and suppose that he is with you at Croydon. I write on the change of his being still at ????.
The people at home are all well and very comfortable in their new house. I had a lot of bother and trouble getting away from Bedford. I should never think of going back there by the time the tenancy is up I shall be able to sell the house, as the new schools will be built then, and its value increased.
When I get a reply to my telegram will write again. Meantime with much
affection I am your ever loving Father
Jas A Elmslie