-53- Rum had been flowing before our appearance, and some afterwards. But we learned from Bill Mason, who returned on the Jessie, that the "Ruru" will not be in good running order until spare engine parts arrive from England. The operator of Sariba Slip, on the mainland near Samarai, can re-commission her temporarily by welding broken part pieces. The Ruru, our expected mainstay for coastal transport in these parts, looks like a doubtful quantity. The "Jessie" sustained damage in rough seas on her way here, and something is wrong with the engine. We may be able to load tomorrow, but there is little chance of getting away before Tuesday. Evennett will not raise his anchor until the sea moderates. In addition to all this, numerous letters were written during the day, semi-final packing done, and an order made out for foodstuffs to carry us on to the end of August. We now have stores for two months on hand. Monday 5/4/53: Dull, threatening morning, clearing toward noon. Little wind, and the sea moderating outside the bay. All our cargo is loaded on the Jessie, including collections which are being sent to Samarai for storage. We will be astir at 4 in the morning, and get away at daylight if the weather is propitious. The sea is very rough off the south end of Cape Vogel in strong southeast weather. There is a certain amount of shelter in Collingwood Bay. Evennett has picked up a native to pilot him into the Balawa abcgirage, as he is unfamiliar with that part of the coast and there are many off- shore reefs in Collingwood Bay. Government vessel "Leander," bringing Judge Gore to try a murder case at Baniara, delivered mails from the U.S. which left Samarai on April 24. Mails from Home have reached us here in about ten days. This lot was almost a month on the way.