21. No reply is needed and I shall see him tomorrow, now I know where he is. Wednesday, 25 February 1948. Visited Burns Philp in morning and was able to procure two pounds of cigarette tobacco, Can getting another pound while he was out. Called on Spence to bid him farewell, lunch at Lennon's and caught 2.30 PM plane, which left one hour late. Trip was without incident, stops being made at Mackay, Townsville and finally Cairns, where Len met us with truck. Len has lost a little weight and looks very fit and well. Had no word of George's arrival. Our route was almost entirely coastal but dusk came down shortly after leaving Mackay and were unable to note much of the scenery. We are domiciled at Hides' Hotel, a roomy structure much like any other tropical hotel. Made of wood, balconied, beds fitted with mosquito nets. Len had drinks waiting for us as the bar closes at 10 PM, and we turned in somewhere about 10.30. Thursday, 26 February 1948. Roused at 7 AM by maid with a cup of tea and after breakfast went around town, meeting first the director of the local natural history club, Mr. Ernie Stevens. Then to Burns Philp, to learn that SS Time is now due here about the 9th of March. If that is correct, we shall just make the Wandana connection, even if she is running to schedule. Met Dupain, manager of Burns Philp, who have a large establishment here, and his department managers, Ormsbee, groceries and liquors, Roy, hardware, Hanson, meats, and McKenzie, who looks after the various agents. Then to the bank, where we met Handow, the manager and Trenier, the accountant. Walked around the town for a while and returned to the hotel for lunch. While at breakfast a wire came through from George from Townsville, saying he was taking the first plane; he should be with us tonight. There seems to be a lot to do in the way of organization but so far we have not really had a chance to go into much detail. Len has engaged Jetty Joe McLoughlin, but there are the usual things such as with-holding income taxes, even at Thursday Island. I shall have to give all that in greater detail when I know more about it all. Cairns itself is at the base of a bay between two fairly high headlands, forest covered for the most part. It has a population of several thousand, I should judge, and is a clean, nice little place. As with Sydney and Brisbane, the stores all have overhanging balconies which give a grateful shelter from a pretty hot sun. I have not yet been in any of the stores and shops but their windows are well dressed and attractive. The population of course is practically 100% white. The town is only about three feet above sea-level and there is an unkempt sort of park, with a few shade trees, along the water front. Many of the houses, including Hides' Hotel, are fitted with balconies or iron-grilled verandas, the windows are always open, let one have the benefit of whatever air there may be circulating around. I have not yet found out what commodities are short, other than tobacco, and B-P's warehouses seem to be fairly full. All those details and others will be found out in due course and set down here. One of my first duties will be to set up a book-keeping system covering our activities; our bank account will be both in pounds and dollars; Len and I both have separate funds and a workable system will have to be installed.