FRIDAY, FEB. 27, 1948. HIDES' CAIRNS HOTEL, Austr. UP AT 7:30 FAIR + WARM. BREAKFAST TOGETHER FOR FIRST TIME. GEORGE AND I TOOK HIS SKINS, SKULLS + ALCOHOLICS + COLLECTING TRUNKS TO BURNS PHILP WAREHOUSE AFTER LUNCH. WE STRUNG-UP THE UNDRIED SKULLS, PUT THE SKINS OUT TO AIR, MADE FORMALIN SOLUTION FOR REST OF MATERIAL. TOOK MODAM 35 TO CAMERA STORE - SHUTTER RELEASE IS ON THE BLINK + ONE OF STRAP SUPPORTS IS BROKEN, GOING AIR EXPRESS TO BRISBANE. THIS A.M. WE WENT WITH GIL BATES + TIM BUZZACOT TO KOAH WHERE WE VISITED A THRIVING EXPERIMENTAL FARM RUN BY MR. [illegible]. HAS SOME VARIETIES OF SUGARCANE THAT TIM + GIL WANTED TO CHECK FOR DISEASE. IF AT THE END OF 17 YEAR STOCK IS STILL CLEAN, THEY CAN DISTRIBUTE FOR PLANTING. GEORGE COLLECTED SOME SOIL SAMPLES + I SAND SAMPLE. CAMERA SHUTTER NOT WORKING - ONLY ONE PICTURE. SOME BIRDS BUT GOING TOO FAST TO IDENTIFY. "FOREST" COUNTRY (WALLADIES - NONE SEEN). LARGE TERMITE HILLS - WAIST TO SHOULDER HIGH - REDISH - ONE, NO HARD OUTER SHELL - ANOTHER, WITH HARD SHELL, PULP LAYER, THEN TUNNEL PASSAGES. BLACK TERMITE NESTS IN TREES. DROVE N.W. OF CAIRNS - STOPPED AT LOOKOUT FOR THE FINE VIEW OF SEA, MTS., + CAIRNS SUGAR CANE FIELD. WE DROVE IN RAIN FOREST COUNTRY - MANY TREES WITH VINES + FERN PLATFORMS IN TREES. FIRE-SWEPT COUNTRY - EVEN THE RAIN FOREST ("SCRUB"). GARDENIAS GROWING IN THE GARDEN. TWO SONS, 5 DAUGHTERS. SAW A SPINE-TAIL, HAWKS OVER RIDGE (WHITE HEAD), SWIFTS, FINCHES, SWAMP PHEASANT. TO MEETING OF THE NO. QUEENSLAND ORCHID CLUB TONIGHT AT 8: DR. KNOTT - PRESIDENT, EXHIBITION OF SOME MEMBER-GROWN ORCHIDS. ONE CHAP GAVE US A SMALL COLLECTION OF BEETLES. LEN GAVE SHORT TALK ON NEW GUINEA COLLECTING. MET CHAP OVER SUNDOWNERS TONIGHT AT HOTEL MR. GALLUP WHO IS IN CHARGE OF NO. QUEENSLAND ROADS, LOVES BUSH + MAY SEE US IN IRON RANGE LATER. MAY FIX SEVERAL DAY TRIP FOR US TO A VIRGIN RAIN FOREST AREA. PACKED EXPEDITION BOX FOR WEEKEND TRIP.