(82) fit and humor. And with Jock Esson we had a pleasant reunion. The Doctor remained in Kieta with eyes seaward to pick up the France. We met Mr. & Mrs. Beck unexpectedly in Rabaul who imparted a lot of information - the ship left Samarai over a week ago. Mr. Beck has decided to relinquish his long leader ship. March 10- Having no ammunition we cannot collect. We do some business with the natives of Dawa village in snails and insects. A meri died there yesterday and Jock and my self accompanied a bunch of the plantation boys to what was a kind of memorial celebration. About thirty of them presented themselves at the house of the deceased and were conducted to a paw-paw tree by the husband. Here they lined up twenty yards off and in very orderly fashion each shot their arrows. Something like our custom of leaving flowers on graves. When it was over the kukurai of the village gave them betel-nut and a feed of coconut pudding. March 11 - Sunday and little activity. I developed a few films I had taken up at Nuna Nuna. March 12 - The France how into sight at 10 A.M. giving us quite a thrill. The Doctor, Captain Lay and all hands on board plus a new lad-Philip from Rabaul. Here up anchor after we had loaded all the birds and our gear from Mr. Esson's house, and proceeded to Kieta. March 13-18 Many cables were sent to New York. Mr. Beck has turned the directorship over to me. Dr Drown after much discussion he decided to leave. G.R. will remain until the new real leader arrives - Dr Murphy who will join us in May somewhere in the Solomons. The condition of the France and the affairs of the expedition are not in exactly correct shape to be transferred into the hands of a [illegible] young & inexperienced as I