Tuesday July 31: Wind and heavy showers through much of the night. A few showers during the morning did not inconvenience our move down to the coast. Left Greasy Point in two trips of the tractor and trailer as far as Umuna turnoff . That part of the road very greasy. Wheels of the tractor locked in places and the whole outfit slid for yards. Called in at the gladstone's place for tea and arrived in Bwagaioa about 11 o'clock. Put all our belongings in the government bulk store on the beach, Was invited to stay with John McLeod, A.D.O., who returned to the station from patrol a few days ago. Rus staying with Ian McCollum, Lionel with Bruce Teague. Heavy squally weather during the afternoon. Only scuds of rain. McLeod a well set-up man of about 45, who looks ten years older. His wife and two children 5½ years and 7 months) due here from Australia within a fortnight. Has been 20 years in the ser- vice, first in the Mandated Territory where he had his first experience and training under Taylor. Recently had long furl ug . Visited Hongkong. Talks interestingly of conditions there. Great quantities [illegible] of American goods being landed by American ships, then going on to Red China in British bottoms. People of Hongkong have little respect for America. Chinese particularly bitter because of the A-bomb being dropped on Japan; this considered unnecessary, and an atrocity against Asiatics, as Asiatica and an inferior people in the eyes of Americans and other whites. Shanghai merchants (Chinese) who fled when the Reds advanced, and managed to get their assets out, are rapidly taking over big business in Hongkong and squeezing out the old-established British firms. Opinion is that in about five years Britain will be ready to get out and leave hongkong to the Chinese, which will mean the red Chinese. The Reds don't want it now; that would mean the end of the subterfuge on American goods. Chang Kai Check thoroughly discredited; con- sidered nothing better than a leader of bandit war lords. McLeod considers that most Chinese business men would stay on under the Reds. They would lose their businesses and perhaps their fortunes, but their ability and experience would command good jobs with the new government. The Reds have cleaned up Shanghai , formerly regarded as a great vice center of the Orient. the great number of prostitutes have been put through rehabilitation centres to prepare them for a working life. Opinion is that when Hongkong goes, Manila will take the place as a free port; an area of land said to have been set aside for the purpose. The Philippines are govern- ing their country under American direction; American officials take a direct hand with when they consider it necessary. McLeod probably a bit anti-American. Wednesday August 1: McLeod offered the old government truck to transport us out to our new camp camp, but was afraid it might break down. Dick Gladstone therefore took us out with his tractor and trailer. Followed an old motor road (in part an old railway bed) which went from Bwagaioa to Quartz Mountain, and in three niles or better came to the mouth of Cooktown Creek. where we started to put up camp. Good site on haigh alluvial bank of the creek, protected from wind and rain by young coconuts and a few young Canarium nut (KINAI ) trees. A couple of hundred yards in from the coast, here an abrupt old coral reef exposed to the SE. A bold headland of coral limestone, 100 ft. or more high, on the west side of the creek. Other headlands towards Bwagaioa, and went along the coast. Road in one place is car- ried through a coral ridge in a tunnel at least 100 yards long. The railway used to run through this tunnel. Good gardens on the roadside. Rough coral ground for the most part; crops mainly bananas and yams, the latter now being dug. Many papayas eaten by fruit bats. Only second growth rain forest seen, and young growths at that. The locality does not look promising for plants. Some further information on Sudest obtained from McLeod, who once walked across the island from somewhere near Griffin Point, the former chief port and chief center [illegible] of gold mining. He has offered us for use as a base a patrol post at Griffin Point. Thursday August 2: No rain last night, none today. Our first rainless 24 hours in a long time. SE wind considerably moderated; did not start to blow until about 8 o'clock in the morning. tantAllachanda completing the rigging of camp. A very comfortable set-up. Lionel and I have c