COPY 
K3TTERING-OAKWOOD TIMES 
Times Square. .. .2980 Far Hills Ave. Day-ton 9, Ohio 
Feb h 
Dear Dr. Schmitts 
Let me put your mind at rest immediately on the suitability of 
Jack Randall. The fact that he has net got papers is unimportant, 
and will not affect the validity of the insurance. Experience is 
more important than papers, and he has had that in ample measure, it 
would seem. Sign him up and don't worry about it further. He will add 
considerably to the pleasure of your trip over a local captain* 
There is ample space for stores on Mareva — far more than you'll 
ever need. There is an eight-foot electric refrigerator, which needs 
a new thermostatic cut-off and which I am trying to get. It can be 
cut on and off by hand now, which is a nuisance, but at least it works. 
On deck there is an icebox which will keep ice for one week, if 
it is filled with two liO-kilo blocks. Unfortunately, Tahiti is the 
only place you can get ice, I believe, so your limit there is a week. 
I don't think it will be worth the bother to take canned goods 
with you from this country. You can usually get everything you need 
in Papeete, unless you have a preference for a certain kind of powdered 
milk, for instance, or a particular brand of canned meat. The New 
Zealand condensed milk and tinned butter is far superior to American 
<Jbt 
brands, and is usually available. 
If you want to get a supply of staples collected before you get 
there, write to John Reasin (Papeete, Tahiti) and he'll take care of 
it for you. Johnny has charge of the boat and is our closest personal 
friend down there. He and his wife, Purea, will be extremely helpful 
to you, and don't hesitate to call on them for assistance and advice. 
They can also line up a cook for you — his quality as a cook may be 
in doubt, but if he isn't seasick all the time, he can at least do most 
of the cooking and cleaning up for you, 
I know how anxious you are for information, so I'll get this off 
to you at once, and if other things come to mind, will write you later. 
Best regards. 
James McConnaughey 
