Derwent Lighthouse,
6th August 1886
My Dear Mother,

Very glad to hear that you are all well although your situation was enough to make you ill but thank God the campaign in England and Scotland seems to have done good. I suppose that our enemies are stirring up strife in Belfast in order to bring the North into disgrace but they will not have it their own way. We are all well thank God which is one great blessing. There have been three railway accidents on our line with loss of life and I think it is through the line not being properly constructed. I hope you have got the box from Helen by this time. I see by the papers that our Australian fruits have arrived in London in good condition. Apples and pears and green grapes from Australia. I am glad to hear that Kate is so comfortable. I feel a great deal better since we have had our comfortable house and hope this summer we will be able to get it photo’. This winter was very cold but fine weather, and as there are fireplaces in all the rooms and no smoke we could easily raise the temperature. I expect there will be a great rush to the new gold-fields in West Australia but it is different from the old diggings in Victoria as it will require great expense to go and that part of the country is in the tropics. There has been a very rich mine found in this country on the W coast so as times are dull it is good to hear of something stirring. I will send you one of Joes photo by and by. Remember me to him and also to Sophy. I had some of the volcanic ash from New Zealand from cousin James. The eruption has destroyed the country near it and I am glad that Sam is as we have it in this country ‘A properly qualified medical practitioner’ and I hope he will be successful and now dear mother I hope that this will find you and all at home in good health and with love to Aunts and Uncles and Grandma from Chris and children I remain, your affect son,

J.C. Parkinson.

Excuse this as I am not in the humour for writing. Enclosed are cherry and peach leaves. The papers are not very regular in the packets of 4 there were 2 of same date.