Hobartown
April 29th 1864
My dear Mother

I have since I wrote received all your letters and the enclosed making four pounds which I am sorry you sent as I am not in want of it. I will send it back when we return from Auckland where we are going again. I am exceedingly well in health and continue to hold fast although the remembrance of my wicked life always hangs before me. Yet I believe that the Lord has put away my sins from me and although I have not the same enjoyment that I once had yet I believe I can say that I have the peace that passeth understanding. Thank God forever and his many mercies to me. I have not received the money from Muntz. I wrote twice to him but did not receive any answer. Perhaps I have not the proper direction but if you send anything by anyone coming to Melbourne let them give it to the steward of the Tasmanian steamer care of Mr W. Sculthorp, 215 Arguile Street, H.town, for me and you can direct your letters there after this. Do not be anxious if you do not get a letter every mail as sometimes I cannot avoid missing it. I think I shall go down to New Zealand next Spring and seek to get something to do on the shore that will be more agreeable than going to sea as I shall then be able to have a home of my own and there does not seem to be much chance in this country. I am sorry to thwart poor Kate in coming out but I have no interest to get her a situation here, nor a home to offer her yet, as there are so many young people here but there is a better opening in New Zealand as even needle women get 6/ per day in the Otago District to work for families, but she would not like to go there and not have someone to go to but I believe there is a very good prospect for females there. But I will write as soon as I get ashore there to tell you, or if she has some family to go out with. Servants, I know get £40 per year there but I do not know what governess get, but that is the best country to go to altho people have to put up with a great deal of hardship at first but I should not like to influence her either way. But I hope soon to be there myself and then I can speak more confidently. May the Lord guide and direct us all. Of course a person coming out would require a little money with them. That is the draw back to me at present but I hope in another year to have as much at will enable me to settle down. My intended I believe is a really good girl and so are all belonging to her. The only thing that made me rather backward in forming a connection that they are in rather poor circumstances but I believe they are rich in faith which outweighs other considerations. They are from Norwich England and her brothers are in business, one in Melbourne the other here. I must conclude with love to all and believe me

Your affect

James C Parkinson

Thanks for the posting