Diary of H. M. Van Deusen January 29 to November 17, 1953
Page 102
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102 Mon. 11 May, 1953 BAIWA. ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL DAY. TOOK PICTURE OF MTS. ON CAPE NELSON & THE GOROPU COMPLEX. ALSO SEVERAL IN VILLAGE SHOWING CANOE MAKING. FINISHED DRYING SKULLS. LEAVING 3 WALLABIES (+7 MANDIBLES), 1 BAT, 1 RAT, 1 CUSCUS, 1 BANDICOOT, 1 PETAVRUS HERE IN NAPHTHALENE DRUM. ALSO 3 SKINS: 1 PETAVRUS, 1 CUSCUS, + 1 BAT. TAKING 5 SKINS ON TO BINIGUNI TO DRY (3 WALL, 1 BAND, 1 RAT). KWAGIRA POLICE BOY CAME IN FROM HIS TOWN TODAY. QUITE A NUMBER OF OUR LOADS WERE MOVED TODAY BY CANOE ACROSS MOI BIRI BAY TO KWAGIRA TRACT LANDING ON MOI BIRI CREEK. ONE OF MY COLLECTING BOXES + A BOX FULL OF TRADE TOB- ACCO WERE SPILLED INTO THE DRINK. THEY WERE BEING LOADED INTO THE CANOES WHICH TIP VERY EASILY. ONLY REAL CASUALTY WAS A BAR OF CANDY WHICH BECAME SO DAMP I HAD TO EAT IT. DRIED TOBACCO OVER COLEMAN LIGHT. STILL DRYING TOO. A FEW CLOTHES WET TOO. WE WERE LISTING + MOVING STUFF ALL DAY. GEOFF HAS TO LEAVE HIS TYPEWRITER HERE. HE IS FEELING MOST. TRYING TO CHECK WALLABY GENUS. SEEMS TO BE PROTEMNODON. DO NOT KNOW IF THIS IS SUPPOSED TO LIVE ON NORTH COAST. GROOVE ON I3 IS RIGHT. SKIN HAS WHITE HIP STRIPE + WHITE STRIPE (WIDE) UNDER EACH EYE. CANOE BOYS BACK (DAVID WENT WITH THEM) + RE- PORT ALL CARGO SAFELY LANDED. WE WILL BE UP AT 4:1 A.M. + HOPE TO LEAVE BAIWA BY CANOE AT 6. HOPE TO GET THRU TO BINIGUNI IF KEN HAS CARRIERS AT KWAGIRA. BAIWA MEN WILL GO NO FURTHER. LOSIMA FIXED GREEN COCONUT FOR ME. MILK IS REFRESHING BUT A LITTLE ASTRINGENT. MEAT IS THIN + SOFT BUT GOOD FLAVOR. WILL BE GLAD TO BE ON THE MOUNTAIN. BED AT 9:30.