(83) However, I shall do my best. The leak up forward has been repaired but the vessel makes just as much water as she did before she went on the slip through the inner stem gland. Captain Lang says the settling of the shaft and packing & installing the gland was a hurried job late on a Saturday, and not properly done. Mr. Beck wanted to get the vessel back to work as quickly as possible. The magneto is lacking - taken off to be sent to Sydney for repairs.. Our total ignition depends upon three fairly old "Hot-Shot" batteries and a half-used storage battery. Sixty-nine pounds and seven- teen shillings were handed over to me by the Captain. Fortunately, we have a supply of 100 cases of benzine, delivered by Captain Lang on arrival. All the ship's pa- pers are made out for Sawarai, Papua to Fiji, British Solomon Is. The France came into Kieta on a false plea of engine trouble. I shall have to go to Ratual - primarily to repair the leak, which requires pumping every half-hour even while at anchor, and also primarily to enable Dr. Provine to catch the Mon- tors for Sydney. It seems to me necessary that I see Mr. Beck personally. The instructions he left are quite inadequate. So we leave Kieta on March 18. March 18 - Afore up and steamed 60 miles in less than 6 hours, arriving at Huma Huma at 2:45 P.M. Since her cleaning the France is certainly faster. March 19 - Reached Buka Passage at 4 P.M. where Mr. Vivian came on board - also Mr. Kertell, the medical assistant, or "lik-lik doctor", who is stationed at the passage, and his dull wife and children. March 20 - off at 6:30 for Ratal via the direct sea route. On account of the report of Mr. Vivian