Old Moreton arrived just before lunch, accompanied by a middle aged boy called Willie Somerset, and bearing a letter from J. Tamway, Govern- ment Supervisor of Cowal Creek Mission. In an excess of zeal, Tamway, a Badu (Torres Strait) islander, has thrown Robert and Bob into Jail for desertion! These natives, when in authority, are apt to be tough on their fellows. The boys are being held pending the arrival of the Protector. Another new boy, a young fellow, is due to arrive tomorrow. Am not altogether struck on the boy Willie. Seems a bit dumb, but according to Dick Holland he was a cook on the mission for years, so I daresay he can hold his end up. For a start, he and Moreton made a yam gathering excursion of their trip from RIP, travelled along the beach, and took two days to get here. Geoff got in about the middle of the afternoon in very sorry and sweaty condition. Made the trip to the telegraph station, about 8 miles, without repair kit (he has misplaced all the tools somewhere), and got a puncture soon after starting back. Wheeled the bike for miles, and the day was hot. According to Asange, the T.I. agent for John Burke, no alteration has been made in boat sailing; which may or may not be correct. At any rate we have bookings on the next two Burke steamers out of T.I. The Lochiel has been taken off the Cairns run and made into a pearler (and is held up for want of a crew). The Yalata has not been heard of lately. Coastwise shipping is in one awful mess. Tonight, George and Van are out jacking, in the dark of the moon. Old Moreton, in the boy's tent, which is all too close to mine, is con- soling himself with a "sick corobboree." A dirge in bass which would go well with a bagpipe accompaniment. The old boy is losing a molar, and it has become infected and painful. The sound of a shot down on the flat means perhaps another Dactylopsila or Melomys to Van's score. Wednesday May 5: No field work other than picking up traps. Packing specimens and preparing for an early start for Newcastle Bay tomorrow. Our second new boy has not appeared yet. But he will be able to follow our wheel tracks if he turns up while we are away. Cowal Creek Mission is short of store foods and the blacks are out living by hunt- ing and yam digging. In mammals we have 202 specimens for 13 days work at Lockerbie. These represent 14 species - possibly 15. Yesterday a spotted cat (Saturnellus) was bought from one of Stan Holland's boys at RIP. And last night Van, helped by young Dick Holland, shot one Pteropus gouldi, 3 Dacylopsila and 1 Melomys. In plants I have 303 numbers, 1764 sheets. Thursday May 6: Our striking of camp was not a very snappy movement, but we had Holland's truck loaded and were on the road for Newcastle Bay by 7:45. Geoff and Van need more experience in setting up and moving camp, and in methods of packing gear. Left main supplies, and collections, in a big fly and two tents under the mango trees at Lockerbie.