(335)-336 to be high enough for mountain birds. We packed up and started early. On the road we met a native with the Mataram mail and a letter from Coultas. There is an anxious letter from Burns Philp and much data con- cerning the four Polynesian natives recently sent to New Caledonia. It appears that their identification papers were left in Sydney and the French Customs will not allow them to remain. Mayr has received news from Berlin that urges him to leave the expedition as soon as it is convenient. We reached the coast about 2 P.M. SS "Mataram" anchored in the harbor. Mayr and I discussed his situation, and I dispatched a radio to Dr. Stresemann-Berlin, "Mayr indispensable. Hope for your agreement." I also wired the British Consul in Noumea in effort to pacify the French auth- orities until I can get some official word through from Tulagi. I was busy writing letters aboard the steamer until 1 A.M. All specimens collected up to the beginning of this week were shipped on this steamer numbering about 350 from Malaita. Steamer sailed at 2 A.M. No collecting done. Fine weather continues. February 16/7 (Sunday) Mayr has decided definitely to leave us. I spent the afternoon getting the motor ready for the trip into Tulagi. Had another heated argument with the captain. I made a ter-i bad rible mistake in him; and have decided that he is the most disagreeable and inefficient man we could have selected. Hove up at 10:30 P.M. in heavy rain. The captain set the course WxS before the vessel had cleared the land so that we nearly struck the northern point of Kwairieka bay. On watch all night in the engine-room. Set headsails and fore- sail during night. Showers of rain and variable easterly wind. February 17/8 Weather cleared up toward daybreak. We anchored in Tulagi harbor at 8:40 A.M., ten hours from Su-u. Mayr went ashore to dispatch a radio to the Director of the Berlin Museum, signed by himself "Tulagi radio inadequate. Will leave im- mediately if you advise Reply." I spent the day getting advice through to Noumea about the discharged Polynesians. After much fretting, Capt. Kidson, the Govt. Sect'y., sent the following to the British Consul at Noumea: "___ two Samoans, ___ two Tahitians sent Noumea via Sydney discharged seamen schooner France Whitney Expedition at their own request at expense of expedition. I have previously wired about the identification papers left in Sydney. Went to bed at 5 P.M. rather tired. Fine weather during day. February 18/9 Reply came for Mayr from Director Zimmer of Berlin Museum- "Return advisable." So our estimable associate will depart on a French freight steamer leaving Tulagi via ports for Marseilles on March 5th. I should like to leave now also since this blasts all my plans and my real reason for remaining. But I should like to see the fi- nances in a better state; and it would make the expedition rather short- handed on Malaita. I am running the engine to save the salary and keep of an engineer. We ought to be clear of debt before June or July. I went over to Gavutu to purchase some oil at Lever Bros. store. A youth named Riddall approached me about getting accommodation on the "France" as apprentice to anything. This is not my first experience of this kind. I could only refer him to Coultais. Weather fine. No collecting done.