Talk turned to flying saucers. Norman told of a night about two years ago when, anchored off East Cape, he witnessed a great magnesium-like flare falling over the mountains. Jack related a story about having seen over Misima in the evening about 20 20 years ago, travelling from low from east to west with a swishing noise, a great streak of bright. The same night the light appeared over Milne Bay, 140 miles to the west; shot over a coconut plantation, and in its path three rows of coconuts died. An account of the occurrence in Milne Bay was published in the Port Moresby newspaper. Some jacking by Lionel, Rus and the boys; no results. A Uromys in a steel trap set by Kim the cook. Thursday, May 17.: Weather precisely as yesterday. Went down to the coast via the tramlinethence along the shore to the mouth of the Lobudowa. A common Orenea, in fruit, probably the most important of a dozen plants collected; also a Grevillea. Very few plants left uncollected in the area—that is, species now in flower or fruit. The only one missed that I know of, and Pandanus copelandi and a beach-inhabiting species of the genus with big ovoid fruitheads. Unsatisfied with the results of Galuwina as ubsect collector, today I started to break in the spare boy Kwailekwaila ("Sipoma"). Not too promising. Energetic but seems to have a heavy hand. Galuwina is a dandy, always nicely bathed and shining of skin, and with hair garlanded or stuck with Hibiscus flowers. Because of his slowness in work he has been nicknamed Lightning by Lionel. Has cut his name in almost every log on the trails hereabouts—"I am Galuwina, Kalokalo boy." Heard from Lionel this evening the legend of Obia the Tembu mountain. Long ago, when women were scarce, there were two beautiful maidens who refused to take husbands. Finally, in punishment, the chief banished them to the mountain. He gave them eternal youth, but they had to stay on Obia for all time. Ther they still are, trying to get down to get men for themselves, but prevented from doing do by a guardian snake who formerly was their father or some other relative, who persuaded them not ot marry in the long ago. Letters for the U.S. left by the Govilon before daylight this morning. Friday, May 18: Change in the weather. Wind in SE. Light showers from about noon into evening. Collected up to about 1000 feet on the mountain spur this side of the Labudowa. Tried to follow what I take to be an old trail of Ballantyne's which leads up to the north side of the nameless creek, but lost it in a couple of places and cut new track up some rather steep, stony dry slopes. Villagers ascend about 400 feet to cut thin sticks of a yellow-barked underbrush tree, probably for house roofs. pig signs up to about 1000 feet. Struck at 700-800 ft. the track I opened a month or so ago on the crest of the leading spur. Not much reward in the botanical results. Best things a Syzigium of the canopy, last flowers of a Gordonia common on the spur, 2 Dianella species, a ground orchid, and a small-tree Exocarpus. Also a red-fruited Gahnia on the dry crest. Two Hydromys in traps set on streams in the plantation. Two Pteropus and a Petaurus jacked by Rus last night. Fairly early in the morning from the mountain I heard a loud engine noise, then saw a white-painted boat curve into Waikaimia anchorage. Returning to camp at noon I found Jack Wilkinson and Father Fallon there. They stayed for lunch. Good company. Fallon is in charge of three or four Catholic stations on the Normanby coast. Wilkinson has two trade stores in Sewa Bay in charge of white men. Has 20 acres of coconuts planted at one station. Man in charge of this is a drunkard — when he has the wherewithal.