-25- Monday 3/16/53. Geoff and Van arrived on the flying boat from Port Moresby about 11 this morning, having arrived there yesterday from Brisbane about 11 AM Friday. Our party is now complete except for a native cook. Had a bit of bad luck with two of the boys. Under new regulations which make it obligatory for all natives, they were X-rayed and given an injection test for T.B. last Friday. Two of them showed definite signs of the disease and we were obliged to pay them off. Even if government permitted, it would be unwise to take such boys into the mountains. Unfortunately, one of the two was Billy (Maiwobudi), our top hand - the boy who was with us in 1936-37. But luckily, two boys from Fergusson Island who wanted to sign on earlier, but for whom we had no place, were on hand to fill the gaps. Good progress made by Geoff and Van in reorganizing their gear and supplies, and much sweat lost in the hot godown. Tuesday 3/17/53. At last we have a cook. A Goodenough Islander named Gapodia Aboakera (or "Kim"); clean looking and reputedly good at his job, whom we have signed on at 5 pounds a month. In the afternoon Healy had our boys lined up in his office and through an interpreter, gave them a little talk. This is new work and good work. He has been in the bush with us himself. They are going to country where there is plenty of food and game. The Gosiagos are good boys and good workers. He expected them to be that way. No humbug. No bad talk. He would be visiting us in the field in two or three weeks and he expected to find they were doind well. Healy also, in my presence, had a radio talk with P/O Skewes of Baniara. In Skewes' opinion the best place for us to camp on the south coast of Cape Vogel Peninsula would be the govt. resthouse at Menapi. Good anchorage, and handy to Baniara Govt. Station. Frequent boats. Skewes instructed to see that the resthouse is in good condition; have boy's house seen to, and a fence made around the establishment. This special attention to our needs, and especially the erection of a fence, will impress the natives and establish us in high prestige. Arrangements have been made for us to leave for Menapi on a boat named the "Govilon", operated by Burns Philp & Co. The vessel expected in from the Trobriands, and due to sail for Cape Vogel early Thursday morning. Yesterday I placed orders for 6 weeks stores. Our gear should be ready to load tomorrow. Wednesday 3/18/52. Completed reorganizatIon of cargo from U.S. The Govilon unloading cargo today, but it is doubtful if she will be sailing for several more days. A hunting boat, the Jessie, due in tomorrow, and this may be our ship for Menapi - on Friday. A man named Mason, in charge of the interests of an old Cape Vogel trader, Spiller, in today. Spiller, after many years on the coast and marriage to a native woman, has amassed a tidy pile and has gone home to England for a few months. Mason offers to transport us by boat from Menapi to Kewansasay, on the Collingwood Bay coast, for L20 (two day trip, there and back); A very reasonable price, negotiated by Miller of Buntings. Spiller has the reputation of being a slick trader. Mason a florid middle-aged man who finds it difficult to look one straight in the eye.