May 20th. This day was occupied chiefly in finishing off jobs for the arrival of the ship tomorrow. The cargo float, radio house, godown shelving and the mission house repairs were all completed. Pressure of other work prevented much being accomplished on the ramp. Mr. Schneider came down from his station on Sentani Meer and will be our guest until after the departure of the ship. Many strange natives are in town for the great event of the month. We vacated Brinkmann's house and moved into our own. The first of the ramp decking arrived on the canoes of the Tabati coolies as they came to work at daylight this morning. May 21st. Some odd jobs finished off but most of the day spent in preparing for the arrival of the monthly steamer---which failed to arrive. The steamer was due in at 10 AM. At 10 PM I bathed and went to bed. This was pay-day for the Papuan coolies but, wishing them to work cargo, the pay was held over and the boys told to stand by. Tonight they are sleeping in one of the godowns. Brinkmann, Ebeli, Kasse and Schupper in town for the arrival of the ship. May 22nd. Was awakened half hour before daylight by the usual rattling and splashing at the well. A dark morning, thunder rumbling and lightning on the sea-slopes of Mt. Bougainville, and still no ship. Gave the local coolies a basket of sago for breakfast, as they are without food. Schneider very kindly cancelled church service this morning so that if the ship arrived we would be able to work cargo immediately. May 23rd. Hoogland's "Gott verdommt" in the radio office this morning was the most ex-