är and for many years secretary of the Society, fell out with everyone toward the end, and for a long time succeeded in having all the meager income of the Society voted to him as honorariums. The old man had nothing else to live on. (O'Brien adored Thomson; others I know considered him a pompous fakir). Monday, Jan. 26: Before leaving for Brisbane I met George at his hotel (Lenons) and the two of us went to the Botanic Garden; George to ask White's advice on localities to visit on his independent collecting trip, I to meet J. L. Wassell, who is back from a trip out of town and came to the Garden especially to meet me. W. D. Francis, back from annual vacation, and looking very brown and fit, was also there to see me. This is a public holiday - Australia Day - and there was a procession in town. Wassell, a tall balging, young chap who impressed me very favorably. Should make a good expedition man to work in a party or alone. [illegible] Is collector for Dept. of Biology of the Queensland University. Has a special interest in fresh water fishes. Was in the Coen area late in 1947 collecting mainly crocodiles and other reptiles for laboratory use. Recommends Blue Mts. as a good base for us, with packhorse trails leading to edge of Rocky Scrub, a big permanent water- hole, etc. Wassell is son-in-law of Thomson of Coen. Has one or more children. Left the city by airline bus (ANA) at 1:15 and took off from Archer field Airport 2:15; made a non-stop flight and arrived Townsville (Garbut Field) 6:40 P.M. Very thick weather. Saw only glimpses of the 750 miles of coast ten country flown over. The flying part of the ANA service is good; the ground service lousy axq- cept at Archer field. At the Brisbane pick-up station, you lug your own baggage from taxi to scales - taxi drivers don't carry bags and there was no porter. A very casual and decidedly uncivil clerk weighs your bags and collects on weight over 35 lbs. You yourself, brief case, etc. are not weighed anywhere. If you wish to leave your camera and field glasses until pick-up time, as I did, you are told airily to put them on a table where they are within reach and open to theft by anyone in town. Excellent desk staff and an efficient atmosphere at Archer field terminal. Good stewardess and good cold food well served on the plane. At Townsville you are on your own. Wait a while in the little terminal empty tobacco ep tins serve as ashtrays. Get in a bus, the driver of which says not a word. Does not say where he is going, or ask where you want to go. Just drives. The handle was off the bus door and had to be picked up off the floor and applied to the right place whenever someone wanted to get off. Finally I was delivered to the Queens Hotel, on the explanade. An imposing brick building with canonaded (sic) front; run down and dirty inside and alive with tcockroaches. My room has soiled plaster walls, worn linoleum floor covering. The sink has been wrenched from the wall and half of one tap is missing. The toilets and bathrooms are on a back verandah and there is no light for the guidance of strangers. Someone had been sick in one of the two toilets provided for all the male inhabitants of _______ rooms. I have no key for my room, nor, apparentlyrokes any other. Yet, downstairs, in the big open lounge facing the sea, the guests look and behave like the guests of a first-class hotel anywhere else. This is the best hotel in Townsville, "Capital City of the North ins.