Hobartown
April 19th 1872
My dear Mother

We received as usual your welcome letters and three Newsletters and I am glad to hear that you are all pretty well. I am sorry that latterly we have missed one or two mails but we must be more careful in future. Annie is getting a great girl now and I think that Willy if spared will be very smart.They are both healthy which is a great blessing. I had made up my mind that the "Pigeon pair" would be our number but Annie says that she wants a little sister to play with as Willy wants to be Master. So I believe if nothing untoward occurs her wishes may be gratified. I hope time will mend as my nose is pretty well kept to the grinding stone not to make end’s meet. It is settled that we are to have a railway which I hope will cause more work. We have just heard that Luke is in a vessel coming up the river after being absent 4 years. Our Lodge is getting on slowly but steadily and I am glad to hear that Sam has joined as every Protestant ought to be one. I have very little news to tell you except that we are all well. Give my love to Miss L, sisters and brothers and believe me ever your affect son

James C Parkinson

PS If ever you are sending anything again in the shape of a parcel a small portion of white Calico would be acceptable as we cannot get it here under 10 pence per yard.