ith every prospect of destruction, just at a time
when the realization of its value would be most desirable, to make good
the loss sustained by the wreck. I decided, therefore, in view of their
hospitality, to make arrangements with the captain of the 'Toroa' to
take back a load of the oil, upon terms only sufficient to recoup us for
the extension of the charter.

In company with Ainsworth, Hannam and others, I went ashore to select
a site for the station. As strong westerly winds were to be expected
during the greater part of the year, it was necessary to erect
buildings in the lee of substantial break-winds. Several sites for a hut
convenient to a serviceable landing-place were inspected at the north
end of the beach. The hut was eventually erected in the lee of a large
mass of rock, rising out of the grass-covered sandy flat at the north
end of the spit.

It would have been much handier in every way, both in assembling the
engines and masts and subsequently in operating the wireless station,
had the wireless plant been erected on the beach adjacent to the
living-hut. On the other hand, a position on top of the hill had the
advantage of a free outlook and of increased electrical potential,
allowing of a shorter length of mast. In addition the ground in this
situation proved to be peaty and sodden, and therefore a good conductor,
thus presenting an excellent "earth" from the wireless standpoint. In
short, the advantages of the hill-site outweighed its disadvantages.
Of the latter the most obvious was the difficult transportation of
the heavy masts, petrol-engine, dynamo, induction-generator and other
miscellaneous gear, from the beach to the summit--a vertical height of
three hundred feet.

To facilitate this latter work the sealers placed at our disposal a
"flying fox" which ran from sea-level to the top of Wireless Hill, and
which they had erected for the carriage of blubber. On inspecting it,
Wild reported that it was serviceable, but would first require to be
strengthened. He immediately set about effecting this with the help of a
party.

Hurley now discovered that he had accidentally left one of his
cinematograph lenses on a rock where he had been working in Caroline
Cove. As it was indispensable, and there was little prospect of the
weather allowing of another visit by the ship, it was decided that
he should go on a journey overland to recover it. One of the sealers,
Hutchinson by name, who had been to Carol