Sobraon
28 December 1885
My dear Chris
Your long letter of 3d inst was received on Saturday.
Glad to hear that you are prospering but please consider well before you decide on leaving Alpin & Brown. You are rather inclined to be sanguine on certain points. A false move might be of serious consequence to you. If I can sell the land I hold in Gippsland I will place some money at your disposal, but you must send me a receipt in proper form for that and what you have had, and also pay interest regularly for it.
We are all well. Alec has improved much in health and strength. He has considerable genius and ability if you can but direct it into the right groove. You must make him work.
I send you a wire message asking if you are coming up. If not I will dispatch Alec in a week or ten days – just let him have a good look at Melbourne. I will write with more leisure in a day or two.
There is no news to give you. Mater and the children and Archie are well, and will write to you soon. Our passage was long rather but good – will send you an Argus of 26th with report.
Captain Bayly has sent you a copy of a book he has written entitled “Life at Sea Sixty Years Ago”. I post it today. Get it reviewed ???? and send him a copy of the review if favourable. This will gratify the old man. Do it soon and tell me the result.
I hope you won’t think of going to Normanton. Consider your health before anything else. Townsville is the place to stick to – don’t be induced to leave it.
Write me soon and with love from Mater
I am your ever loving Father
Jas A Elmslie
I tried to see Ned Rawson when at home, and so he did me, but failed to meet. Did they meet with success as to separation? I did not hear.