AMERICAN CABLE NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 1 March 1927, Page 2

AMERICAN CABLE NEWS

[Australian & N.Z. Cable Association.!

WITH THE PIGMIES. NEW YORK, Feb. 27

Alter spending over six months in the interior of New Guinea, mostly m Dutch territory, Professor Stirling, leader of the Smitiisonian Institute ami the Dutch Government expedition has returned. He brings many specimens showing the life of pygmies, the original inhabitants, who bad bet'll crowded into the deepest interior by filter savages, living in the stone age. They are a .scattered race of four footers with reddish kinky hair, chocolate complexions and are largely agricultural, the women doing the heavy work ttliil the men hunting. They are shy and superstitious hut friendly and holiest. Their burial customs indicate they are not cannibals. Their marriage rites are preceded bv the ceremony of taking the bridegroom into a clearing and shooting arrows which he must dodge or return, fi be sulvltos tlie ordeal it proves his coinage ami be is given sufficient money tshells). The wedding proceeds ending in the luidegrooni amputating his wife’s index fincer at the first joint, instead of iwum- a ring. The only clothing consists")! nets slung over the head and shoulders for carrying weapons and other loads. They live in scattered, hidden, villages in inaceessable regions and have no relations with other villages even for war against the common one m v The expedition mapped a considerable area of previously unknown country. ALASKAN STORM. SEWARD (Alaska), Feb. 28. The storm which tlierateiteit the fixes of a thousand men of the halibut fishing fleet, has subsided, and this has saved from destruction many of the vessels, which are now reaching port in a damaged condition.

COMMUNISTS TO BE DEPORTED

NEW YORK, Feb. 27.. Advices from Santiago state the Chilian Government has announced Hint 108 Communist agitators will he deported to Easter Island. There will be neither cable nor radio communication with the settlement, which however will be visited by trading ships four or five times annually. The Government will permit the deportees to complete autonioiiy although they will be under'guard to prevent the destruction of Government properly. Their families may accompany them so it is expected that the deportees will number four hundred.