Thursday 12 March 1953 (cont) Packed tonight: 2 suitcases, 1 briefcase. Tight squeeze. Read "My Six Convicts"— D. P. Wilson most of P.M. Short nap. Watched sunset from bow as usual—a localized one with flame clouds (looked beautiful thru glasses). Friday 13 March Arrived at Brisbane. Up at 4:00 A.M. Could see Cape Moreton light & pilot boat. Pilot came on in whale boat manned by 6 oar crew. Squall coming down & water choppy. Back to bed until six. Beautiful sunrise & good view of the Glass House Mountains. About 12 Jaegers following ship. Also a few of the large dark Petrels in Moreton Bay. Back to bed until 7:30. Birds seen coming up Brisbane River: large tern; bl & wh cormorant; small black cormorant; red-billed gull; wh-breasted sea eagle. Docked about 10:30. Interviewed by reporter (David Vincent) for evening paper & photographed. Same reporter in 1948. Met by Mr. Brooks (father of George B. in Cairns) & Mr. Williams (Bunting agent). Did not have to open bags. Mr. Brooks took us to Lennon's Hotel (Gen. McArthur's hdqts during war). After lunch went to Queensland Museum to visit Mr. Mack, Don Vernon, Jack Woods, Malcolm—. Mr. Mack showed me all the latest work on cases & displays (it is very fine !) New lights. Had tea. Don & I talked w until 6:15. Then to hotel for dinner. Also invited Cecily Sandercock (she has left Museum & is to be married April 11 to An old friend—has paw-paw farm). To room & talked. Then out to see Mr. & Mrs. Sandercock (met in 1948). Keith Jarrott called up & we had long talk about possibility of National Parks in British N.G. Took tram home about 11:30. Saturday 14 March By flying boat from Brisbane to Cairns (913 miles). Left Lennon's Hotel at 9:30 A.M. Taxi to Airlines Depot. Bus east along river to airport (past where S.S. Pioneer Glen docked). Mr. Dennis Williams (A.H.BUNTING agent) & Don Vernon & his 5 yr old daughter down to see us off. (We are over the ocean near Bowen (3 P.M.) & the air is rough). Little girl had her pet ringtail possum with her. Took pictures. (Now flying at 7000 ft—155 knots plus tail- wind 15 K. Over Townsville at 3:30. Will arrive at Cairns at 4:30 P.M. where we spend night). Take off from river with much splashing at windows (water only 2 feet below window) at 11:30 A.M. Plane arrived late from Sydney. Left one suitcase with Don (who will take to Q. Museum). Cut NW (inland) across the NE coastland hump. Crossed a mountainous area (Mt Perry) with thick scrub, cliffs & 1 waterfall. 7 of us are in a separate cabin forward—all for New Guinea. 1 girl who lived in N.G. for 1st 9 yrs of her life; 3 young men (Dr. Ruurd Hoogland, Swedish botanist; Australian Bruce W. Taylor —botany-ecologist (has been to McQuarren Is) & an Australian geomorphologist—(land forms)). Have just passed Magnetic Island which I visited in Oct 1948 on way down coast. Passing Palm Islands at 3:45. Put down at Cairns on schedule 4:30 P.M. George Brooks met us at dock. Went out home with him (2 sons Edward—9 on Mar 7; John is 8). Wife just home from operation. George has built a small office & Museum in his backyard. Has fine collection of beetles & a few snakes. Back to hotel for dinner—delicious bream. Tom & Amy (Jac) Webb & G.B. in for after dinner beer. Caught up on all the local gossip. To bed at 12:30. Mosquitoes. Rained in torrents about every 1/2 hr. Have had over 60 inches since start of year.