Friday May 28: In uncertainty and delay in regard to boats, our move from RIP to Thursday Island conformed to pattern. The barge did not turn up until 4 pm on the 26th - two days late, and two days of lost time for us. Our traps and gear were packed ready to move on the 24th, and the barge was expected hourly thereafter. The Alagna arrived at T.I. on Sunday, but unloading of her cargo was delayed by dirty, rainy weather and wharf laborers will not work in rain. This rainy weather, in the southeast season, is said to be most unusual. Upon arrival at RIP, a small amount of cargo was unloaded from the barge, and that done, the half-Samoan half-abo skipper and his white combo engineer decided they would wait till morning to load their return cargo of sawn lumber for pearl shell cases, and our gear. Ac- cording to the skipper the Alagna was due to sail on the 27th; the engineer said the 28th. There was no information on the subject from Mills of B.P's, who never writes letters. I therefore decided to stir up the crew of the barge and get away before daylight. Going to the wharf at 2 am I found the lumber already loaded. We put our stuff on board, and waiting for a shower to clear off and the moon to give light enough to pick up the entrance beacon, we were away by 3:30. Arrived T.I. at 8 o'clock and tied up alongside the Alagna for direct transfer of our cargo. Yesterday was showery; further delaying the Alagna. We might get away late this afternoon, and it might be tomorrow morning. It all depends on the wharf lumpers. Our cargo is on board, and our specimens from the Tip are well packed for shipment to Cairns. Last evening was spent very pleasantly at the house of the Cadzows Other guests were four Torres Strait pilots, Dr. Barnes and his wife and Meek the bank manager and his wife. After lunch yesterday Van slipped off alone and came back with 16 bats he had caught in an abandoned naval fortification. George is skinning them this morning. Van, unfortunately, has developed a sore eye. The doctor says an abscess, and wants to keep him under observa- ton for a few days. Looks as if we might have to leave him in T.I. to follow us to Iron Range by plane next Thursday. Joe the cook is drunk. A high casualty rate for a day at Thursday Island. We are staying at Kelleher's Federal Hotel, on the beach. Much better than the "Bloodhouse", where I lived ten days in February, but a poor place at that. The place is overcrowded and there is trouble with staff. No one to wait on table, and two girl boarders, who work at B.P's, are doing the job in a sort of way. Rough diamonds. At breakfast this morning I asked for sugar. Finding all the bowls gone from the serving table, she wheeled, glared over the crowded room, and demanded to be told "Who the bloody hell took all the god damned sugar." And no one smiled until she had left the room. The Geoff came in, late, and asked for breakfast. "Jesus Christ," she said, "I've got to work. Get it yourself." Ma Kelleher thought she had a waitress last week. Paid her plane fare from Cairns, and the girl went to work at the Bloodhouse.