AFRICANDER MEEKIN

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 10722, 20 October 1928, Page 2

AFRICANDER MEEKIN

’RESENTS PIGMY CHJEFRAIN

iNought to Australia by two on-i-drprising -Australian showmen, To To Uinterne, the little pigmy chieftain, was procured not without a groat deal of trouble and hardship. Mr. Allen Evans visited Africa with -i view to seeking what the Dark Eoniinent held in the wav of novelties and curiosities, suitable for exploitation in the show and carnival world of Australia, and after travel li;for weeks, lie relates, finally Ins pilgrimage landed him in the heart of the pigmy territory, The king ot these tiny tribesmen was made to understand that a number of his tribesmen wore wanted to assist as hunters for venison for the partv. After the usual gifts had been made the warriors were allowed to depart. On. re-entering Rhodesia all' tho little men with the exception of To To Undone, which means “He of the stout heart,” became homesick, refusing to cat and continually clapping their palms on the back of their heads, so they were taken hack to the fr nge of the Congo. To To Umtene was allowed to be taken out of Africa only after £3OO in bonds had been deposited with three different Governments, and was allowed to enter Australia after £IOO had Den deposited with the immigration authorities for one year. The little black chief with his guardian (Mr. Allen < Evans), came into Australia under the banner of the Australian showman, Mr R.. T. Meekin,-African-der. and will be exhibited at the Gishorr.e Show.