Iron Pot Lighthouse,
July 28th 1879
My dear Mother,

I was glad to hear that you had heard from Matthews and I suppose that the jam is all right by this time. I hear by telegram that the "Lufia" has sailed on the 17th of this month and hope she may have a prosperous voyage. I am also glad to hear that you are all well and that Kate and Frank like their situations. I wish we had some of the rain that has fallen so plentifully in your northern hemisphere. All this year we have had very little and even now past our mid winter we have to get water sent to us. It is well to be under Government.

Annie went to school about the first of this month and is very comfortable and I think will get on very well. Mr Babington has not left town yet but will live only a short distance out of it. He has a good pension but a large family. I was pleased to hear that you have got Lowry’s business settled. I can get on very well at present and I ought to be thankful considering the state the world is in. I received 4 papers and cards. Flowers all right. We have our garden cropped with potatoes, onions, peas and beans, cabbages, turnips, carrots, parsnips radishes etc. and have a large bed of strawberries so we will not be badly off for vegetables this year if all goes well. And the sea gives us plenty of manure. I am glad Chris’s carte pleases you. I must look out next time. I suppose you know by this time that you took George’s carte for William. This is a beautiful day and the youngsters are all down fishing at the waterside as I write.

What do you think of our town/now?. I suppose you will have gotten the papers before this with the account of it. The Catholics have been working along quietly but Chinquy has uncovered the cloven foot. I do not think that they will have done themselves much good as they have opened the eyes of the Protestants here who I fancy will not patronise them so much as they have done. I will try and send a Tasmanian Mail each time. We are to have great company here at the Exhibitions but one gentleman has been before hand in Melbourne, personated a doctor and obtained about £500 on false pretences and withdrawn? I have written to cousin James in New Zealand but have not received an answer yet. Let me know how low you would like a jacket of skins of a finer description than those I sent in the box? and if you would wear it. So with love to Sisters and Brothers, Aunt E. etc.

I remain dear mother, your affect son,

James C. Parkinson

Remember me to Joe and Sophy also John Hanna, Chris and children send their love to Grandma and Aunts