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Transcription
supplies have failed to arrive. The wharf shed and about 50 yards of the pier
are crowded with Schroder's cargo, which includes two months rations for the
military party and our 75 Dyaks.
$ Sentanis and 2 locals threw in their jobs when they received this afternoon
the delayed pay for the last fortnight's work. Thiduris, No. 1 Sentani boy, and
from the beginning a sore spot, was sacked. This leaves us with 33 local coolies,
27 Sentanis and our permanent unit of 9 Makassar coolies. Have had a good deal
of fever in the Makassars during the last two weeks and now several have devel-
oposed septic sores on the feet and lower legs. Anyhow, only half of them are of
any real use. Several are not nearly as good as our better Papuans.
Work on the [illegible], cutting joints on the shore stringer logs, went on as usual.
May 25th.
A busy day unpacking, sorting and listing stores and field equipment. The shore
end of the ramp levelled and partly set in position.
May 26th.
The planking of the [illegible] commenced. Rand unpacked the aeroplane tender punt and
began to put it together. Ramm working on radio and at 4.30 got signals.
Richardson started to build the Makassar coolie house. Self listing stores and
estimating requirements. 15 Sentani coolies getting house timber.
Wrote White asking that he send me 1 doz. 3/4 axes, 2 doz. handles for axes, 6
gross brass screws for boots and a geologists hammer for collecting lichens.
May 27th.
One of the Government "white ships", the Meral, with Assistant Resident Jacobs
of Manokwari on board, anchored in the bay about sunrise. A native mission bank
of flutes and drums, including 15 of our boys, marched in procession behind the
Resident from the wharf to the gesagheber's house. Had Jacobs in for afternoon
tea and he stayed with us until 7 PM