145 I am staying at the Hotel Travellers recommended by Mable Noll. Not as good as Rieder's and to be. To Prangya Pujas Appointment. I was a guest of Tribul & Rose Bole, Birthday dinner for Ted & Bob. Bob is a medical friend of Bob. Bob is a medical student. Bates informs me that the giant land Buffalos which has inflicted coastal work Queensland for years, is now definitely on the decrease in top 3 numbers. Tuesday Jan 13: Another very wet day. Floods are widespread in NE Queensland. Prangya Pujas, who was out and collecting yesterday, picked me up at the hotel about 10 AM. Took me to his wonderful home of Toga Hill. (Brought them two forest trees with them). Then the morning looking at Prangya's fine collection of beetles. Mostly local species but a few specimens got by my change from other parts of Australia & overseas. Tribul's specimens have been examined by specialists. The specialists could give him excitement in which specialists could give him has been in groups in which specialists could give him identification. I have collected several new species, which have been named by other workers. Returned to the hotel at 4 PM. Wednesday Jan 14: Some showers but not too much. Tried first to TAP to arrange an air booking for Brisbane for Wednesday. TAP handle Captain affairs in Cairns. But it does not belong to the international air organisation & my return ticket by Qantas to Brisbane was only good as a credit against the TAP fare of $20. Had to pay an additional $12/15/. A very common state of affair for a big company, owned by The Australian Government, as is Qantas. Failed in Townsville, State cabinet, Dept. of Agriculture & Stock. Cordial, but did not seem very happy at seeing me. Tala got in touch with Tom (T.F.) Noll, manager, Townsend & Mason Electrical Co. With Prangya Pujas and Frank Moody, we had some beers before lunch. Went out to Phillips place in afternoon. To The Nolls (Tom & Betty) for a very good dinner. Home grown Australian coffee and home grown peafowl at the table. I understand that there has been wrangling & political even fighting in the formerly good M.Q. Naturalists Club, & that the club is no longer very active. Mr. Read is now president. [illegible] [illegible]