Iron Pot,
Nov 25th 1882
My dear Mother,

I received your dated 23 Sept. I am glad to hear that you are all so well, and take the opportunity to take an hours leisure as we have 4 lodgers to find? in something to eat. All our rooms are under repair and so you may guess we are in a ‘pretty pickle’ and we are having a new room built and a Colonial oven set and other conveniences so although in some aspects like Robinson Crusoe yet we have the advantage of modern appliances. We sent Annie to a Lady friend of hers, a daughter of Mrs Cunningham’s who kindly invited her to stay while the place was under repair. Maria is also in town with one of her aunts. Willy I intend to send to school the beginning of the year, and please God I will endeavour to give them all a turn I think Willy will be for a trade, as he is very sharp and inclined for mechanic. The bricklayers and carpenters at work here are getting 11s per day and found. I do not think that at present there is a better country than this at present for tradesmen, and the Government are going to assist emigrants to come out. And I am sorry to have to tell you that Mr Babington is greatly afflicted having nearly lost his sight but there is a hope that he may regain it. There has been a great deal of rain this season and we are having a very plentiful crop of all kinds in the garden and the M B has leased the ground for 7 years and granted fencing for it. Only one thing is against us this year that is peculiar to this locality that is a plague of green beetles which occurs every four years and attack the leaf of fruit trees and plants, so you se we have enemies in green as well as old Ireland. Chris still suffers with the ringing in her head and sometimes her lips swell and one of her legs it might be from the cold or indigestion. All the children are well thank God and harty. I enclose another card which you will give to whoever you like. Hoping this will find you all well and with love from All to all.

I remain dear Mother,

Your affect son

J.C. Parkinson.

excuse haste