Hobartown
June 14th 1872
My dear Mother

Your welcome letter arrived safe and also 4 newspapers. I am sorry to hear that Miss L is no better but hope that she may find her "Spiritual strength renewed" and be enabled to set her affection "on things above". We have no small pox here. Annie has been vaccinated but Willy not yet but we intend to do so as soon as possible. On last Tuesday week this town and neighbourhood was visited by a flood which caused great destruction of property, but happily there has been little loss of life. In about 4 or 5 miles from the town there are a range of mountains, and it seems that if a waterspout must have burst on the side of one of them causing a rise in the creeks of as much as 50 feet, and tossing away in their courses trees seven feet through and even rocks were torn from their beds and bourn down by the restless torrent. A great number of poor people were flooded out of their houses but they have been assisted and accommodated with lodgings in the barracks, but I believe it has done this much good that it will cause a great many to have employment that would have been idle this winter. The contractors and engineers of the railway have arrived so there is every prospect of a little more stir and employment than there has been for years. Although the past loss of time still keeps us down but we must all hope for "better things". Our Orange and Protestant soiree is to come off on the 1st and we hope it may be a success. Annie is well. Willie is beginning to speak very plain and promises to have a head. Chris is pretty well and joins with me in love to all

Your affect

J C P

PS I am sorry that my last letter to you was not sent but I had it written two days before the mail went but was too late in posting it. Chris has come back from the country. The children are pretty well. Annie has had an eruption on the head but it is better. We have had a very hot summer and the Melbourne people have been pretty well roasted. The weather has now changed as it is now our autumn or rather second spring as everything has been parched by the heat, and now after rain has fallen we sow seeds and flowers spring out and blossom again. It is a great pity that things are not brisker here as it is impossible to get on when one has not some steady employment. I have not been fortunate this summer but we must be content as we have the great blessing of health and strength. I am sorry to hear that smallpox is so rife at home. Annie has been evacuated but Willy not as yet as he is cutting 2 or 3 teeth. Our bishop Bromby and his son have been introducing ritualistic practices into the English church here but I think the people are having their eyes opened and will make this place too hot for him. Willy can speak very plain and can say Annie so plain and tries to sing. Christina desires to be remembered to all and with love from Annie and Willy and all. I remain your affect son

James C Parkinson

P.s Mr Upton is I am afraid sinking fast. Mrs Upton is pretty well, we have not seen Luke yet as he is in a steamer trading between Sydney and Melbourne.