-120- any evidence at the hospital. The suspect swore that he had not emptied the can, anyhow. Then our cooks were questioned. Both lied, but it is doubtful if guilt lies in their direction. They are un- likely to steal until later on the trip, and besides, both are Goodenough Islanders and therefore could expect to be under sus- picion if anything went missing. Wednesday, September 30, 1953: Weather much as yesterday. Distant rumbling of thunder at dawn. Morning spent on plans and stores lists for the mountains. We are reckoning on three weeks work at Ken's top camp, and two weeks at a middle level camp, if a suitable site can be found. Prepared in afternoon a fair collection of plants brought in by my boys. My stolen pocket knife has reappeared. The cook brought it from the boy house. It was in possession of Liklik, a mammal hand, who said it was given him by my boy Bobi who found it lying under the house. Bobi, interrogated, declared that he did not recognize the knife as my property, which was a whopping lie. All boys mustered and questioned in Motu and Dobuan by Ken. No clues on other lost property. One suggested that their belongings be searched. All agreed. Results nil, as expected. I did not feel very good about the search, especially when I saw how slender the boy's possessions were. A mat each, a blanket and woollen shirt which we issued them (extra shirts and blankets in storage, for safety until we leave for the mountains), a spare lava lava or two, cheap trade shorts and singlets bought in Samarai recently, a few used flashlight batteries, and sundry odds and ends. The Kalo boys probably sent other possessions home with kinsfolk who visited them last weekend, and the Morimas with their fellows who were paid off in Samarai and returned to their homes. Thursday, October 1, 1953: A shower at daylight, and rain squally around 2 P.M. Wind mostly from SW. Botanized in the "Big Scrub" about a mile to the west of camp. Eighteen species gathered, but nothing of special interest. Col- lecting is poor in the locality. Bob Greeney left for his station at Esa'ala on the "Stockton," a launch belonging to the Methodist Mission. Friday, October 2, 1953: The stillest day we have had here. Oc- casional gusts; sultry; sea calm; sharp shower about 2 P.M.; heavy thunder in direction of the high mountains on Fergusson Id. Without wind to keep them in shelter the mosquitoes are bad. All anopheles. Working on collections and packing for the mountains.