(338) Another application from shore for the engineer's job, this time from Capt. Elder of the Govt. Medical Ship "Hygeia". I know he is not serious and would be dissatisfied. All the Europeans who have been eager to join us do not realize what life on this expedition means. Weather fine. February 24 5- Another radio arrived for Dr. Mayr from Herr Zimmer, Director of the Berlin Museum- "Decide for yourself. No danger staying longer." Having determined his course Mayr is intent on leaving. Coul tas and I talked to Capt. Kidson, the Govt. Secty. about the possibility of the Government allowing the expedition to take a crew of Solomon Is., natives foreign for a year. Coul tas will have to write a formal petition and the Resident Commissioner will consider the matter. After a farewell to Mayr, we hove up at 3:40 P.M. and proceeded to Gavutu where we stopped alongside the wharf while Coul tas made some purchases at the store. Under weigh again by 5 o'clock. The captain wanted to anchor at Mandollana on the Florida coast for the night because the wind happened to be ESE and slightly unfavorable. We insisted that he carry on. He has never shown any aptitude for saving time; the mainsail was unbent while we were at Su-u and has been down below ever since. He uses the motor continuously and is still waiting for a fair wind. Course set for Su-u. Self on watch in the engine room, the others having to take turn about with the wheel. February 25 26 On watch driving until 4 A.M. when the captain lost his bearings completely, having picked up a light which he thought to be on the Malaita coast and turned out to be on a moving vessel. He instructed me to shut down and hove to until daylight. The so-called boatswain recently signed on added to the difficulty by steering an unknown course for two hours of his trick. I slept a while and was awakened at daylight to start the motor. The captain could not determine any land marks although quite close to the coast and was reluctant to take the assurance of some of the crew that we were well north of our destination. Coasting along to the south'ard we soon picked up Su-u and were alongside the wharf at 8 A.M. to take in fresh water at the manager's good favor. Out at anchor by 10 o'clock. Here I caught some sleep. No collecting done. Weather fine. February 26 27 The headman is uncertain about carriers; about 20 are supposed to show up to-morrow. Three native hunters out most of the day. I wrote letters all morning to go into Tulagi for mailing to-morrow morning: a long one to Dr. Murphy and others to W.S. Tait & Co., and the Bank of NSW. Worked on motor after lunch and prepared skins after the hunters returned. Ashore for dinner with the others and returned on board to work on birds. Weather fine and clear. February 27 28 Three natives out shooting which produced about 20 birds. No carriers available yet. Put up birds during afternoon. We were ashore in the evening and Mr. Aldington, who operated the "Royal Endeavor" for the Malayta Company, imparted much information about the ship and strongly recommended the exchange, if it could be effected. The conversation had a favorable result on Coul tas. Weather fine.