i 9 ii] HOME FITTINGS AND AUTUMN PLANS 131 
Griffith Taylor and his companions have been seeking 
advice as to their Western trip. Wilson, dear chap, has 
been doing his best to coach them. 
Ponting has fitted up his own dark room — doing the 
carpentering work with extraordinary speed and to every- 
one's admiration. To-night he made a window in the 
dark room in an hour or so. 
Meares has become enamoured of the gramophone. 
We find we have a splendid selection of records. The 
pianola is being brought in sections, but Pm not at all 
sure it will be worth the trouble. Oates goes steadily 
on with the ponies — he is perfectly excellent and untiring 
in his devotion to the animals. 
Day and Nelson, having given much thought to the 
proper fitting up of their corner, have now begun work. 
There seems to be little doubt that these ingenious people 
will make the most of their allotted space. 
I have done quite a lot of thinking over the autumn 
journeys and a lot remains to be done, mainly on account 
of the prospect of being cut off from our winter quarters ; 
for this reason we must have a great deal of food for 
animals and men. 
Friday, January 20. — Our house has assumed great 
proportions. Bowers' annexe is finished, roof and all 
thoroughly snow-tight; an excellent place for spare 
clothing, furs, and ready use stores, and its extension 
affording complete protection to the entrance porch of 
the hut. The stables arc nearly finished— a thoroughly 
stout well-roofed lean-to on the north side. Nelson has 
a small extension on the east side and Simpson a 
K 2 
