Aug. 26 (cont'd) Got two more explanations for the day we lost through non-arrival of Thompson's truck at the Peach. Old Herb said they just plain for- got the day of the week. Police Sergeant Dan Farrell, who knows what goes on, and very plainly has no faith in Old Herb's veracity, reck- one that the truck was held a day so that on the way back from the Peach, it could call at the airdrome to pick up Mrs. Prideau, one of Thompson's daughters, who came in on yesterday's plane and was in fact met by the truck. When we came to the point of talking business, Old Herb reckoned we owed him £30 for truck hire and £20 for the horses. I knew we were stuck and could not argue with the old fox. Sold him our sur- ply stores and wrote a check for £18-9-0 in settlement. We did not lose on the last part of the transaction. Old Herb will be a man for any future scientific expedition to steer clear of. And I would say the same of his son-in-law, Wassall. Number one citizen of the township is Maurice Shepherd - now 73 years of age, still running a trucking business between Coen and the coast but perhaps not much longer for this world. Mrs. May Armbrust, best business head in town, and apparently a square shooter, would be the best agent for the next visiting party. Mrs. A. has a store, & agent for Aust. National Airways, and has a cattle property and but butchering business. She is assisted by her daughter, Mrs. Taylor, married to a telegraph linesman. Friday, Aug. 27: Got a good start from the Bend, somewhat after eight, on the begin- ing of our road trip south to railhead at Laura on Hugh Fisher's truck. The truck a 4 x 4 "blitz buggy" with oversize - but still rather small - body. Final business and goodbyes in Coen kept us until almost 10 o'clock, when we got away and headed south on the road - not on any map - lead- ing through the old mining field of Tbagoolah. Some interest in town over the arrival last night of a Frenchman named Henri, and his compan- ion, Miss Saunders, who came up from the Annie River landing on Maurice Shepherd's truck. Henry somewhat of a mystery man to the locals. They have Miss Saunders summed up. Henri has a good-looking Swiss 35 mm movie camera with which he photographed our outfit. It is recalled in Coen that last year this same Frenchman was in Cooktown with another lady companion. Monday Aug. 30: Drove into Laura about 1 PM. Our night camps were Tbagoolah, Mis- grave and the Hann River. Distance from Coen about 130 miles: Petrol consumption about 3 miles per gallon on first day, 4 to 5 for the rest of the trip. Actual distance must have been well over 130 miles. Distances in this country are reckoned by the marked mile posts on the telegraph line. Coen is said to be 167 miles from Laura by line. We left the line near Coen and did not strike it again until we got to the foot of the Dividing Range 12 miles north of Misgrave. From there we followed the line to Fairview, 12 miles out of Laura. A dreary trip. We made short stages to allow time for trapping and shooting and the preparation of mammal specimens en route. The usual travel time from Coen is 2½ days. Notes on the trip follow: