Score - 1 MON. 23 MAR. 1953 NATIVE BROUGHT IN 1 PTEROPUS SHOT IN VILLAGE LAST NIGHT. GAVE HIM 2 SHELLS. HAD SKINNING LESSON WITH 3 BOYS LOOKING ON. STRUNG UP 100 RAT TRAPS. ALL BOYS + MYSELF OUT LOOKING FOR LIKELY TRAP SITES IN AFTERNOON. DAVID OUT WITH ME. SET TRAPS IN LIME- STONE RIDGES 1/2 MILE EAST OF MENAPI. BIG BOULDERS + MANY LARGE TREES - DARK IN WOODS. "INFERIOR PRIMARY FOREST" - L.T.B. SMALL BATS OUT AT DUSK HIGH OVER THIS FOREST - MAY ROOST IN LIMESTONE CAVITIES. OUT TRACKING FOR 3 HRS. LAST NIGHT. MANY FLYING FOXES ABOUT COCONUTS + BREAD FRUIT. WADED THRU PLUME GRASS (SACCHARUM - RELATED TO SUGAR CANE) AT LEAST 10 FEET HIGH. SAW SMALL MAMMAL IN FERN-PLASTERED TREE. COULD NOT SHOOT. NO SIGN OF POSSUMS. STOPPED AT BILL MASON'S STORE FOR A BEER + SHORT VISIT. SHOWED ME AROUND STORES - STAPLES, KNIVES + GINGERBEER! (HE IS GOING TO KEEP SOME IN THE FRIG FOR ME). HE ALSO SHOWED ME COPRA STORAGE HOUSES - ONE FOR LOOSE + ONE FOR BAGGED. COPRA IS DRIED COCONUT MEAT. BEST IS HOT AIR DRIED, NEXT SMOKED, LAST IS SUN-DRIED. 6000 NUTS TO MAKE TON. SELLS FOR 65£5 A TON. SMELLS RATHER GOOD - HEAVY OILY. BAG WEIGHS 160-165 POUNDS. MUCH BUILDING ACTIVITY IN CAMP TODAY - BOYS BUILDING TABLES, VERY CLEVER WITH VINES FOR LASHING + MID-RIB SECTION OF SAGO PALM. THATCH IS MADE OF LEAVES OF SAGO PALMS. SITTING UNDER SHADE AT SHORE TODAY WITH S.E. BREEZE + HEAVY SHOWER CAME UP. LEN + GEOFF OUT - WERE SOAKED. OVERCAST + GENTLE RAIN ABOUT 6-7.