(15) In regard to the "France" -concensus of opinion has it that she is working around the island of Ysabel (Bogota). She has not been in Tulagi for nearly 10 weeks and is expected back sometime. The 2nd engineer of the govt. vessel "Renandi" said he saw her three days ago off a place called Hivo on the east coast of Bogota evidently sailing toward Gizo. Mr. Laycock, a planter said he had seen her three weeks back in the Meringue Lagoon. All seem to be of the opinion that she is going to Gizo before returning here. Only the postmaster was at variance; he thinks she will return to Tulagi within a fortnight because Mr. Beck had given him that idea before he left. The plan is to go to Gizo and if she has not been there to wait; if she has been there, return on the steamer to Tulagi. This course of action reveals eight pounds excess in passage cost than if we had booked straight through to Gizo from Sydney. We may get a refund since they were bum sports at the office not to tell us while we were discussing the possibilities of both Tulagi and Gizo as points of disembarkment. We had a good look around the place, inquiring about the "France" from everyone. At the hospital we had word of Dr. Drown who stayed there 8 weeks or so with an island sore on his shin. The B P officials were very kind, Mr. McKaye, Mr. Scott, and Mr. Ferry. They helped us get all the information possible. All have great things to say about Mr. & Mrs. Beck and the rest of the crew. September 9 The postmaster Mr. Dicks sent a letter out that he happened to run across from Mr. Beck dated June 29 instructing him to send all July and August mail to Gizo and to hold any September mail; this indicates that he is returning to Tulagi which was Mr. Dick's previous contention. We got ashore in great confusion with more luggage than I knew we had; the 2nd steward gave us newspapers for Capt. Lang and "Splinter" King, a steward, some guitar and ukelele strings for the musical crew. Customs rates are unholy here - 100 % for guns, ammunition (except shotgun shells 12 1/2%; tobacco, etc. 12 3/4%. We put up at the Elkington Hotel in wonderful quarters. We can get some clothes washed and perhaps, do some collecting. Yesterday one of the boys gave me a starling which I can practice skinning with. September 10 Spent the morning getting settled. The result of th skinning exercise was one skin and some rudimentary experience. Tom Elkington, the host's son has promised to get me some birds. Preston Clark's insect-collecting outfit is excellent, so we can probably prove something while we are waiting. Through the courtesy of a gentleman in His Majesty's service, a commissioner from Suva, we are members of the Tulagi Club until the "France" arrive This gives us golf, tennis, or swimming whenever we want it. Over at Gavutu, a Lever Bros., station we heard little that is new about the "France". When we got back a B P recruiter from Malaita had come in the hotel; he thought the "France" somewhere near Cape Marsh on Guadalcanal 60 miles away and that Mr. Beck was undoubtedly coming to Tulagi before he went to Gizo. Mr. Hart, another planter left for his plantation. He is something of an etymologist having sent material to both the British and the Australian museums, and the American also; he has given Dr. Drown insects and land shells.