The wonder man
NAA: A1658, 1301/1/2, p.11
Mahomet Allum offered his services to King George VI, who was suffering from lung cancer and a number of other illnesses. The King died in February 1952.
Letter from Mahomet Allum to RG Menzies, Prime Minister, 28 June 1951
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NAA: A1658, 1301/1/2, p.12
In this advertisement Mahomet Allum offered to donate £500 to charity if any doctor could prove one of his testimonials false.
'Doctor praises Mahomet Allum', advertisement featuring testimonials from Mahomet Allum's grateful patients, c. 1935
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NAA: A1658, 1301/1/2, p.14
The author of this article, Con Noonan, claims to have known Mahomet Allum for 25 years.
'A patient's gratitude to Mahomed Allum' by Con Noonan, SA Turf Review, 16 June 1938, p. 4
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NAA: A1658, 1301/1/2, p.27
This testimonial seems to have been included with Mahomet Allum's letter to Prime Minister Chifley in 1949.
Copy of a letter from Ethel M Stevens to Mahomet Allum, 4 March 1935
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NAA: A1658, 1301/1/2, p.28
Mahomet Allum seems to have forwarded the piece of lead ingested by Mrs Wagner's son to the Prime Minister for his inspection.
Copy of a letter from Mrs Irene Wagner to Mahomet Allum, 2 June 1934
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NAA: A1658, 1301/1/2, p.29
Mahomet Allum claimed that his herbal treatments were effective against all manner of diseases, including cancer and tuberculosis.
'A miraculous cure', advertisement for the herbal medicines of Mahomet Allum
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NAA: A1658, 1301/1/2, p.7
Mahomet Allum's offer to help King George VI was forwarded to the Department of Health for comment.
Memorandum from AJ Metcalfe, Director-General of Health, to the Secretary, Prime Minister's Department, 9 August 1951
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NAA: A1658, 1301/1/2, pp.17–20
This advertisement includes testimonials from a number of eminent people in India, as well as a poem praising Mahomet Allum.
'Mahomet Allum – honored in his own country', advertisement detailing the philosophy and abilities of Mahomet Allum, Western Australia, 10 February 1935
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NAA: A1658, 1301/1/2, pp.23–6
As well as congratulating Prime Minister Chifley for standing up to the doctors, Mahomet Allum asked if a government official could come and inspect his work.
Letter from Mahomet Allum to JB Chifley, Prime Minister, 24 March 1949
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NAA: A1658, 1301/1/2, pp.30–1
Mahomet Allum claimed to have hundreds of sworn declarations by patients attesting to the failures of the medical profession.
'Mahomed Allum fights for humanity', advertisement in the Mirror, 21 September 1935
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NAA: A1658, 1301/1/2, pp.32–5
Mahomet Allum's regular visits overseas provided him with opportunities for publicity.
'Mahomed Allum returns to Australia', Mirror, 3 July 1937
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NAA: A1658, 1301/1/2, pp.4–6
Sister Clare Peters had been using Allum's remedies, including the 'Allum Bar', for many years. The letter notes Allum's concerns about the use of aluminium cooking utensils, and the failings of the medical system in general.
Letter from Sister Clare Peters to Mahomet Allum, 17 July 1952
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NAA: A761, J349/1/6 Part 1, p.86
This memorandum relays the department's decision on Mahomet Allum's request to bring his Indian wife to Australia and is included in a large file relating to restrictions on the admission of Indians to Australia.
Memorandum from JA Carrodus, Secretary, Department of the Interior, to Secretary, Prime Minister's Department, 18 August 1937
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NAA: A761, J349/1/6 Part 1, p.87
This informal note describing some of the background to Mahomet Allum's request to bring his wife to Australia was followed by a formal memorandum a few days later.
Note by JA Carrodus, Secretary, Department of the Interior, to Frank Strahan, Secretary, Prime Minister's Department, 16 August 1937
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NAA: A761, J349/1/6 Part 1, pp.90–1
As an Afghan, Mahomet Allum had to seek special permission to bring his wife into the country. E Dwyer Gray was the member for Denison in the Tasmanian parliament, not, as Allum seems to believe, the federal member for Tasmania.
Letter from Mahomet Allum to E Dwyer Gray, 9 August 1937
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NAA: B741, V/11437, p.1
After only a few years in Adelaide, Mahomet Allum had become well known for his many acts of charity. This article notes that in the previous four years he had given away over £6000.
'Afghan who has given away thousands in charity', Smith's Weekly, 12 August 1933
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NAA: D596, 1934/7275, p.1
This memo was forwarded with an advertisement from the Women's Weekly in which Mahomet Allum apparently made reference to his treatment by Customs officials.
Memorandum by Collector of Customs, South Australia, 8 November 1934
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NAA: D596, 1934/7275, p.3
In his 3 years in Adelaide, Allum claimed to have treated 14,000 patients and given £7000 to charity.
Letter from Mahomet Allum to the Collector of Customs, Adelaide, 10 August 1932
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NAA: D596, 1934/7275, p.4
Mahomet Allum states he wants to leave the country and never come back, but the 'passport' he wishes to obtain seems to be a CEDT, which was only necessary if he wished to return.
Letter from Mr and Mrs Mahomet Allum to the Minister for Home and Territories, 17 May 1923
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NAA: D596, 1934/7275, p.5
Constable Landells implies that Allum was involved in the fire that destroyed his drapery shop in 1921.
Report on Mahomet Allum by Constable WJ Landells, Duchess Station, 15 July 1923
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NAA: D596, 1934/7275, p.6
Constable Spencer provides information on Mahomet Allum's wife.
Report on Mahomet Allum by Constable Gordon Spencer, Cloncurry Station, 30 June 1923
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NAA: D596, 1934/7275, p.9
This memorandum was compiled in response to Mahomet Allum's complaint against customs officials in September 1934. The second page of the memo is missing from the file.
Customs Department memorandum providing background information on Mahomet Allum, 1934
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