Hobartown
October 6th 1871
My dear Mother,

We received last week your welcome letter and contents "Bank order for £5" safe for which seasonable supply I return you my hearty thanks, and you will please express the same to Willy for his kindness in time of need. I feel very much on being a drag on you in place of a help, but we must hope for better things, and I trust that He to whom the silver and gold belongs direct my path and open up my way for me. My work has commenced again but I had about three months idleness which puts one back a good deal. This country is very well if one had constant employment, but every year things have been getting worse. Thank God were are all well except the occasional cold and our garden is looking better this year. We do not require hotbeds here as pumpkins and veg. marrows etc. grow in the open air and our fowl lay very well and the situation is very healthy.

I am sorry to hear that Miss L is laid up . I will send her a ‘carte’ of B Willy next time as we can only send one now, which I hope you will like. I also red one paper 28th and am glad that the 12th went off so quietly. We are increasing here slowly but I hope surely. Chris desires me to say that she will try and get Annie’s carte by next mail and hope that you will excuse her writing this time. Give my most affect love to brothers and sisters. Miss L, Joe and will Sam not give me an account of his adventures in the far West and with love to all I remain your affect son

J.C. Parkinson

We intend to send you some curiosities by the ‘Ethel’ which leaves here about the new year.

(James forgot to tell you that Baby is walking. He has got a smile he is such a dear Boy. C.P.)