All this diverse collection of humanity on a little craft 52 ft. long. They bicker and squabble, sleep, and do what eating and smok- ing they can. We have not had a proper meal since Monday, when the canned meat ran out. For two days we have had mainly boiled rice and bread. The last can of pears was emptied over the rice for breakfast this morning. For lunch, Bally curried a can of mixed peas and carrots to go with the rice. For supper we had rice and golden syrup. All the smoking materials left are a few of my precious cigarettes, which I share with the others, and a can of tobacco which Bally is accused of hiding somewhere and retiring into the W.C. to smoke. It's a hungry ship, even for the cockroaches. There is nothing for them to eat in our cargo of empty gasoline drums. At night, when only the binnacle light burns in the cabin, they crawl over our bunks. I have to keep my right foot wrapped in the sheet. That heel is skinned from my climb up Aylen Hill, and the roaches nibble at the sore spot as I sleep. Thursday, February 19 At noon, when I would have been in Cooktown had I stayed with the Fishers and taken plane from Iron Range, we still had fifteen hours run to do at the skipper's most optimistic estimate. But for bad weather, we should have reached Cooktown Wednesday night. Today, though visibility was poor, I had views of the very extensive areas of sand dunes between Point Lookout and Cape Flattery. Friday, February 20 Anchored in Cooktown harbor at 4:30 and drew into the wharf soon after daylight. A pretty spot, with high hills surrounding a flat basin at the mouth of the Endeavour River. Green and fresh with the rains, and the early light softening the sharp outlines of the hills. Captain Cook careened his ship here in 1770, and Banks and Solander collected plants which have not been seen since that time. Put up at J. P. Hickey's Commercial Hotel, best in town, tariff 12/- a day. As a special treat, curry and rice was served for break- fast. The sale of rice is controlled and it is supposed to be eaten only by natives. Among letters waiting for me was one from Dupain advising that our cargo from the U. S. has not yet left Brisbane, but is supposed to leave today or tomorrow by the SS"Time". All transportation dis- organized by a rail strike now in its third week. Our cargo should have arrived in Cairns over a week ago. Had phone talks with Dupain in Cairns and Thompson in Coen. Wired Geoff to fly to Cairns if strike continues. Geoff and Van due to arrive in Sydney by "Marine Phoenix" today. Called on Landy (Shire Clerk), S. G. Brown (manager Bank N.S.W.) and Harry Worrall, garage man and live wire of this sleepy old town. Arranged with one Bluey Hales to drive me south to Shipton's Flat tomorrow. Spent the evening with Dr. H. L. Kestevan, fishing from a wharf, and at his quarters at the Hospital. Kestevan, a comparative anatomist and embryologist of distinguished record, as well as a physician.