Iron Pot,
April 29th 1884
My dear Mother,

I received your letter of March 4th. I am afraid that this will be too late for the mail as there has been an alteration in the time from the 3rd to the 1st. I am afraid if rest was necessary for to make a cure of Chris’ leg it would be a hard job for her to get it, as we keep no servant but I am happy to say that it is a good deal better, although I suppose it would be all the better of the stocking. We were all very glad to hear the good news of George’s appointment to Newtownbutler, and better I hope that he will be the means of much good in his new field of labour. Although I am sure he will be sorry leaving Newtownsaville and all his nice flowers. I had a letter from Lee who brought the parcel out on the ‘Gulf of Carpentaria’ and he speaks highly of Rev Mr Parkinson and the Miss Parkinsons but he is rather disappointed at not finding things up to his expectations here, but everyone cannot get all they would wish all at once as I can testify.

I am sorry to hear that you suffer from rheumatism it has made me start sometimes but has worked off. This has been the driest summer we have had. Thousands of sheep have died in Australia through want of water and we have to be supplied from Hobart and we are going 4 miles today as it is so fine for a cask of water. I hope that Willy will soon be at school. We have had some of a family we are acquainted with here this 10 weeks while their house is building, and when it is finished Willy is to go and live with them and go to school, and think he will get on as he is very sensible but his taste runs more to mechanics. This is the 1st of May and I hope that you are enjoying fine weather after the severe winter. I hear that there has been a shock of earthquake in England. Perhaps were it in Ireland it might frighten the Fenians. We are having great preachers here ... ... of the Blue Ribband and a Mr Hampden Evangelical. I think much good will be done.

All here are well and as I wrote only this on spec I will conclude with love from all to Grandma, Aunts and Uncles and remain Dear Mother, ever your affect son,

J.C. Parkinson