12. I was able to get letters away by air, including one to Len to tell him of our proposed flight from Sydney to Brisbane but there was nothing more in the paper this morning about the strike. There is, however, an ominous paragraph dealing with the consumption of gold reserves by the British Commonwealth and the stock market slump in London and New York does not seem to ease at all. Another general alarm for boat drill has just rung so I had better close this up for the present. The boat drills seem to be held after departure from each port, presumably as instruction to whatever passengers were taken on at that port. Auckland comes next so there will be only one more drill, I trust. We are due at Auckland on Monday, the 16th. Saturday, 14 February 1948. Fairly heavy swell running all last night and today, with strong head winds but temperature quite a bit lower and comfortable. Highest record during the trip has been 96 degrees?. Morning paper reports strike still going on in Queensland so hope that plane reservations have been obtained. Wilmot went ot bed last night with a tempera- ture of 103 but seems well today and talks of getting up for dinner this evening. Auckland passengers, of which he is one, are beginning to start their packing now and there is at last an air of approaching the end of the trip. For myself, shall be glad to do and get on with the job. No land in sight today, of course, and next land sighted will be North Island, New Zealand. There is a report going around to the effect that nobody will be permitted ashore in Auckland other than disembarking passengers; I rather doubt it myself but possibly others will be held on board until N.Z. passengers are cleared by customs. Van tells me that the flash bulbs he is carrying will explode if plane reaches 12,000 or 15,000 feet. Shall have to check this but there are no hills more than 4,000 feet between Sydney and Brisbane and probably we shall not reach any altitude more than 10,000 at the outside. Will finish and get this installment ready for mailing tomorrow and write regarding Auckland from Sydney. Speight, who I learn, is a Swift Company man, has offered the services of his firm should we have any difficulty in obtaining plane passages. Burns, Philp, too, would help, I am sure, though we have had no contact with the Sydney branch. Sunday, 15 February 1948. Strong head winds and heavy swell continued all through the night and this morning. Our departure from Auckland tomorrow has been delayed one hour and probably we shall be that much behind in our arrival. Sydney passengers are being allowed ashore after all New Zealand passengers have been cleared by the Customs and Immigration people, and children under 16 years are to be held on board on account of severe outbreak of Polio in Auckland. This evening we shall have a final party for the members of our table and consume what is left of the two bottles of scotch we were collectively able to procure at Suva. Wilmot and I estimated the income per trip for the Marine Phoenix at about a quarter of a million; we were unable to figure expenses and costs but are con- vinced that there is a mighty fine profit shown.