SAT., MARCH 20, 1948 HIDES CAIRNS HOTEL Had my FIRST AUSTRALIAN HAIRCUT THIS MORNING! THEY START SHEARING YOU AT THE BOTTOM & GRADUALLY WORK OUT LEAVING YOU WITH A MOP ON THE SIDES & TOP. I HAD TO ASK HIM TO THIN OUT SIDES, COST 1-6 AND NO TIPPING. LEFT BOOTS FOR FIXING - HEEL PULLING OFF & STITCHING TORN IN ONE PLACE. THEY HELD UP VERY WELL IN THE ROUGH SCRUB. THEY ARE SOMETHING OF A CURIOUSITY HERE IN AUSTRALIA - HOW ARMY ISSUE SHOES USUALLY WORN - OR BARE FEET. TO MUSEUM TO PIN OUT A FEW SPECIMENS AND TO CLEAN UP OF PADAMELON. MR. READ STAYED MOST OF MORNING WATCHING ME WORK & ASKING VARIOUS QUESTIONS ABOUT TANNING & SHINNING. HIS NEPHEW, HUGH READ, IS 11 AND VERY MUCH INTERESTED IN SHELLS. HE WOULD LIKE TO EXCHANGE WITH "DORY". MADE-UP 3 FREE-TAILED BATS IN P.M. BROUGHT CATALOG UP TO DATE ON MY SPECIMENS AND THEN CLEANED SKULLS. GEORGE & LEN WENT SOUTH TO LOOK AT BELL PEAK (COASTAL RANGE) WITH "GIL" BATES - ALSO TO FIND OUT ABOUT POSSIBILITIES OF WORKING BELLENDEN TER. GEOFF AND I WENT TO DOUBLE FEATURE MOVIE IN NORTH CAIRNS, HAROLD MOON INVITED GEOFF TO GO FISHING IN A.M. (I GO TO TULLY FALLS) - GAVE US HIFT TO MOVIES. "HOME SWEET HOMICIDE" - AN AMUSING PICTURE - OUR FIRST SINCE BRISBANE. HOME AND COLLECTED GEAR FOR A.M. TRIP. THE BROOKS FAMILY CALLED IN P.M. - VERY INTERESTED IN WORK. I SHINNED ONE OF THE BATS OUT THRU MOUTH. NOT TOO MUCH TROUBLE, BUT A NUISANCE WHEN IT CAME TO STUFFING.