Iron Pot,
Feb. 24 1883
My dear Mother,

I received your last letter dated December 10th since we returned from Hobart and are glad to hear that you were all well. We, that is Chris, George, Charley and myself had a very pleasant time of it. We took a furnished room and took our meals as it suited us. We went on board the ‘Nelson’ Man of War and had a good look all over her and tea in the Ward Rooms with some of the Officers who visited us when the ship lay off the station, and then there was the grand day of the year the regatta and afterwards the garrison sports and bayonet exercise by the Marines and Men of Wars men. I told you in my last that there is a man on board of the Nelson a nephew of Purdys the coast guard. We had to buy some chairs and a couch et ectera for our renovated establishments so I could not afford to send you any skins this time nor had we anything else to send except the jam but hope to have next time. We liked the contents of the box very much. Only for the jam that spoilt some things so I hope that Frank will not send any as she must know that the box is sometimes upside down, and if the jam is not hard or covered over it must spill. It has been a wonderful season for wet just what this country wants. I had 8lb of potatoes at one root. I have seen the account of Mr Carlisle death and hope that he has not forgot Frank. I also see that A.W.D Saunders is returning home. He was at Dungannon with me. Chris is better since she came home but has not got rid of the ringing in her head yet. She is deaf in one ear. The country still continues prosperous, and I do not think that there is any part of the world so well adapted for emigration especially for those who have a little means as it is so healthy and that is a great deal. All the children are well. Willy and George are going to school on the Arm while the weather is fine, and Charley is a picture. May they all be spared and inclined to that which is good. With love from all to Grandma, Aunts and Uncles and kind remembrances to Aunt E, Joe and Sophy.

I remain, dear Mother, ever your affect son,

J.C. Parkinson