1940

Episkopi, Limassol, Cyprus.

Jan. 16, 1940G.H.McF.

Dear Mr. Hill,

In the course of the last two weeks I have received two cable from Virginia; from Jersey City, (undated) quote, my letter missed your boat does expedition want me this Spring should love to come but realize passage now expensive and your plans perhaps changed letter follows, unquote. I answered saying we hoped she would come as soon as conveniently possible and said museum would arrange passport, passage, and pittance. Her answer came yesterday, quote, yours welcomed hope arrive "atras late February on Saturnia, unquote. I imagine your air mail letter was delayed or went astray unless you have already heard from her. I am delighted she is really coming; she'll be a great addition in every way.

Last has been here for almost a week and is drawing Bamboula. The plan he did last June of the recent excavations there were on a scale of 1:100 so told him to go on with the same scale for the other sections he is drawing now. He wanted to know whether to draw the rubble walls in detail and pointed out that they would scarcely reduce to more than one half for publication. As the earlier plan was drawn in detail I thought he had better do this one in the same way.

As you know Land's did his map of the bluff of Curium on a scale 1:1000. I told Last that any extensions of this map should be done on the same scale. If he were to extend the map as far west as and including Apollo it would make a very large map indeed; he would have to make two maps I should think, of this area, that is if the scale is to remain 1:1000.

I have raided the guards wages from 12 to 14 piasters, and those workers who were receiving 14 piasters last Spring to 16; they can barely exist on less I think. As carpenters and mason are receiving the same wage in the towns, I thought I would raise none of the better paid workers pending your arrival anyway.

Last week we had quite a lot of snow on the mountains and I took the car and Paraskeuvas the day before yesterday up as far as we could make our way through the snow on Troodos; then put on my skis and we climbed up to the top; too many trees and stones and rough ground, however, for any runs so we came back the same evening to Episkopi. Disappointing but I may try again.

No more new for the present,

Yours as ever,

Handwritten: signature

Handwritten: Wary sorry to hear you are rather poorly. Hope you will be well and happy. Glad you are relieved. Ty