23. Called on D. V. Mitchell, Brisbane manager of Burns Philp & Co. The usual friendly reception and offer of all assistance. Mr. Bell, who attends to Customs business, was called in for conference. The "Vardilia" bringing our 16 crates (5373 pounds) of cargo from New York is due in Brisbane January 25th. Shipping is scarce on the coast, but our cargo will be sent on to Cairns by first boat, probably John Burke's Wandana about February 8th. Priorities on coastal shipping have been removed. In the event of delays in shipping on the coast through labor or other troubles, we can have the cargo railed to Cairns. This would be very costly, however - over L.50 per ton against less than L.4 by boat. Decided to clear cargo at Brisbane, and took Bell along to discuss details with my friend Brooks. Some new law or regulation is pending re possession of firearms. Brooks called up the C.I.B. on this. We might have to register our guns and rifles later, but C.I.B. is not interested in them now. The customs people ask us to keep account of the use of our preserving alcohol, and give particulars when we finish field work. We will be expected to pay duty on anything we sell. This the only proviso in our clearance through Customs. John Williamson took me along to meet , president of the United Graziers Assoc. of Queensland and chairman of the Meat Export Board. An experienced grazier, breeder of Aberdeen Angus cattle, who made an official visit to the U.S. last year. Says the Zebu cross in North Queensland is turning out very well as far as beef product is concerned, but under open range conditions prevailing there the cattle get very wild. The original zebu bulls came from the King Ranch in Texas. Visited Dr. F W. (Freddie) Whitehouse, Geology Department, University. The intensely alive writer of a reconnaissance report on the Cape York Peninsula, made while he was an Engineer Intelligence Officer during the war , and still on the secret list. I have a copy of his report for study. Showed me a fine set of mounted aerial photos of parts of the peninsula. Offers to sort out for me a set of duplicate photos, and get me a copy of a special map he made, showing the different types of country on the Peninsula. Whitehouse was about to leave town for a few days. Will see him again. Very useful contact, greatly interested in the Peninsula.