Auckland
June 30th 1864
My dear Mother,

I send this according to custom as the mail leaves here tomorrow. Altho I have not much good news to tell you the weather is miserable at present, and there are a great number of people here who cannot find employment. But this being the rainy season it makes things dull as the publick works have stopped. But thank God I cannot complain as I am not much idle except when prevented by the rain. I do not like this place at all so much mud in the streets one is up to the ankles and sometimes to the knees. As soon as a vessel comes here from H.town I intend to go back and from there I will go to Adelaide which I believe is the best place for a man to live ashore, but you direct your letters to H.town as I last told you and I shall get them on my return. Board is £1 - 5 per week here and that of the coarsest description. There has been a great engagement between our Troops and the Maoris about 200 of the latter killed and wounded and about 30 prisoners whom I saw. About 40 of our Troops were killed and wounded.

I would be glad to settle on land but this place will never take my fancy. I would rather have Australia. The people here are so different, not so good hearted or sociable as in the other side. Altho it may be well enough in summer. There is great talk of a gold field breaking out in this land and I believe there will as soon as the natives are quietened but I do not think that I shall trouble it.. I hope that I shall write my next letter to you from H.town as I will have a lot of yours to answer. Thank God I am well and I hope you will all enjoy the like blessings. Give my love to Sisters and Brothers and Friends. I hope Miss L is better and believe me yours affect,

James C. Parkinson