-112- Baiawa natives out on another wallaby and pig hunt today with long black palm spears and heavy nets (photographed). They returned late in afternoon with a pig cut in pieces and several wallabies and bandicoots, carried on poles between two men. Smith's boat "Cape Vogel" arrived about 3:30 P.M. Took Ken and went on board. Seems we have been delivered into the hands of a holdup gang. Price asked for transporting us to Samarai is L125, reckoned at L25 per day for a five-day charter. On protesting, I was told by Smith that Steamships Trading Co. had taken over his business recently and that the rate had been set by their manager, Paul. Nothing to be done about it now. We have to go on the boat or stay at Baiawa an indefinite time u til another charter could be arranged by radio from Baniara, 3 day's walk away for a white man. With the proceeds from their hunt, and garden produce, the villagers put on a dance and feast for our boys tonight. Drums going until about 11 o'clock, and after all had gone to bed a dog took over, howling at his echo in the hills. All but last minute cargo loaded on the boat before dark. Thursday, September 10, 1953: Left Baiawa 6:45 A.M., arrived at Smith's Tarakururu wharf and store 1:05, and left for Samarai 4:05. Course from Baiawa close in to the shore to avoid the SE wind. Plenty of water, although further out the sea is much obstructed by reefs. Eight big fish, mostly kingfish, caught on towlines. After lunch at Smith's place I walked inland about a mile. An extensive, somewhat undulating plain of coral limestone reaches back to grassy hills. Plain grassy with small patches of dry brushy secondgrowth forest intermediate between rain and monsoon types. Kleinhowia hospita and Pipturus the most characteristic species. A big banana garden on very rocky coral ground at my furthermost point. Smith has 300 acres of land on perpetual lease from the government. A very good small harbor in the mouth of Tarakururu Creek with 7 fathoms of water. Good small wharf with 2 fathoms. Work on a 50 x 30ft. store almost completed. Mangrove ("orange mangrove") timbers and Japanese galvanized iron. Lot of money being spent. Smith a visionary boaster. His wife and two children will join him in December. Friday, September 11, 1953: Ran all night; rounded East Cape at 6:20 A.M. and tied up at the small ships wharf at Samarai 11:40. Rough sea off the southern tip of Cape Vogel. Charter finalized at L100 after consultation with Miller of Buntings. We were robbed. A charge of L75 would have been equitable. Saturday, September 12, 1953: Geoff and I to the hospital first thing in the morning for medical examination by Dr. Sirko. A disturbing report on Geoff. Since Wednesday he has had only partial use of his right arm. Sirko diagnoses it as the effect of a slight paralytic stroke; heart in bad shape. No more mountain climbing for Geoff. X-ray photos show that my shoulder trouble is only muscular; no injury to bones.