Received 2 September 1891
Answered
19 Anerley Park
London
7 July 1891
My dear Chris
I have your letters of 11 and 15 May. They are long in coming.
I hope by the time this reaches you the railway will be finished and as you now are to have two steamers a month from Brisbane communications will be accelerated.
The feverish cold I contracted on my stay here has wound up with rheumatism in my arms and hands and has been troublesome. It is now disappearing.
Archie came home last week. I have been sounding about in the City amongst old friends to find out what is best to do. Shipping is depressed. Curtailing expenses is the rule.
The Orient has three ships yachting which will probably be sold before the winter. No chance of promotion there for some time to come. P & O the same. ???? Company business is little better than slavery. Can’t tell at present what he may do. As for myself I have nothing to look for and expect nothing.
We are leaving this house and will live at Lancing for some time to cut down expenses. This year’s expenditure will not be under £1000 for house and schools. I have seen the Balchins but once.
I called on the London Chartered Bank manager same day and will see him again next week and will manage to arrange with him so that you get all the documents sent out with goods. I wish to help you to get ahead but cannot afford to lose any portion of
the savings I have made. The loss of my income from the Sobraon is bound to make a great difference in our manner of living so as not to encroach much on capital. I will write you more fully on the subject I have touched upon. I do not think it is necessary to be at the expense of cabling to you. I would arrange with the Bank to let you know.
I sent the P. O. O. you requested me to forward to Paris. Balchin Senior is on his way home by America.
I hope you will manage to recover the lost reputation of their beer. Their large bottles hold half a gill less than the Champagne shaped bottles. A large quantity was being destroyed at Sydney in April, the same brew probably.
We are all well at home, and with affectionate regards and love from all,
I am ever your loving Father
James A Elmslie
We have not heard from Alec since he was at Normanton. Glad to hear such a good account of him as you give.
JAE
Before closing this, a telegram has come for Archie from the ship he came home in, offering him second mate’s place. He has gone down to Tilbury to see the captain and manager but will not engage until after consulting me on his return this evening. I wanted him to be at home for a month or more.
The weather has come in very hot. August will be a blistering month I think. The crops generally promise well, strawberries most abundant and good.
JAE