morning, they were pacified again and another fifteen porters came into Baiawa to work for us. We have about ninety carrier loads to move from here, of which something more than fifty must be got to the top of Maneau somehow. It is no small organizing job. Maneau herself, after overshadowing us all morning, disappeared into cloud about noon and in the evening distilled a thunder storm from which the rain is pouring as I write though the thunder and lightening has ceased. The rest house is a good one though small, and we shall be snug enough, but how we move on from here must be related when it hap- pens. It is somewhat dubious at the moment. Maybe I have not made it clear that we de- termined to round Cape Vogel and attack Maneau from the north; from Menapi it would have been not less than a ten day walk whereas from Baiawa we should do it in four or five, once we get the carriers. Medino and Baiawa of course are on the north coast of Cape Vogel, Medino being about the same distance in from the tip of the Cape as Menapi was in on the south side of it. Soon I shall have to pack up this writing machine, but I shall keep it out and use it as much as I can while we are here. My writing is not too clear. 7th May. We were up again very early this morning, but have seen very little of Mt. Maneau as it has been mist-covered ever since about noon. Things progressed a little this morning and the Baiawa natives turned out with their canoes bright and early and that part of the cargo which was still on the Jessie was sent off to the crossing of the creek and the Kwagira trail. However there has been no sign of the Kawansasap porters who were to join us and take the 24 or so loads which we landed, which means either that they will come along tomorrow or else we shall have to wait for the return of the Baiawa canoes, transport the stuff to the creek landing and then join the advance party at Kwagira. This group of porters is supposed to go all the way to Biniguni, another day's carry is after Kwagira, and at Biniguni we expect to get a relay to make the mountain camps. That is the plan - what will eventually be done remains to be seen. This rest-house is situated on top of quite a steep hill, about 150 feet above Baiawa village, which is in a swamp. 8th May. Things seem to have squared themselves out again today, by the word received from Ken. Two letters came in by the Baiawa [illegible] village constable, one written on Thursday and the other today. Thursday's was discouraged and disconsolate but that which he wrote today was from Biniguni, where he had arrived with the shipment, and con- tained the news that he had gathered fifty porters who would pick up what we have left to ship from here, plus as much as we have extra porters for, and carry to Biniguni for us. The extra stuff referred to is material which Ken would have to bring along to Biniguni after we reached the Top Camp, and therefore if we could get several loads along on Tuesday, that would lighten his later efforts. This morning we unpacked a lit- tle collecting gear, so far as I am concerned just enough to equip me and my two boys, and we went into the big forest nearby. It is rich collecting ground and I saw but did not reach some of the big blue butterflies which are so spectacular. I saw, and collect- ed, another of the brown snakes of which I am uncertain; he was at the foot of a tree and I shot him with dust shot. It did not kill him and I used forceps, of course, to pick him up and put him in the snake bag. While going in, he struck at the side of the bag so quickly that I could neither feel nor see a motion, but his fangs took some remov- ing from the bag. I think also that it should be prolific death-adder ground, and have warned the others accordingly. A bad thing is that I shall have to give up my best boy, Niko, apparently, and take Jimi, who has been travelling with Ken. Apparently Jimi did not do what Ken wanted him to do, and said that he had done it. Therefore Ken will have no more to do with Jimi but wants to keep Niko. Why it should be my boy that is taken always, I do not know, but there it is. Ken has no good word to say for any of the natives except for his own boy, David, and he has been lent to Van. I think before long Ken will be displeased with Niko, and, in fact, will not rest until he had David back under his wing again, which, I think, would please everybody except Van; there is so much favoritism shown to David that it is not a good thing at all and can only create discord all through the staff. With next Tuesday (today is Friday) set as our moving day, we know now what we can do and must prepare for. 9 May. It is so humid today that if I so much as shake my head, gobs of sweat jump from