IN TUHOE LAND

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 78, 31 March 1908, Page 3

IN TUHOE LAND

RUA AND HIS FOI__OWEES. While at Te Teko on Saturday, the Hon. J. Carroll had a conference with a number of Maoris mainly with the object of trying to break down the influence of the Tohunga Rua, who has followers in that district. The Native Minister pointed out the fallacy of Rua's pretentions, and ridiculed* bis trying to set up a Government of his own. Apparently, his arguments had a good effect. At the same time it is evident that Rua undoubtedly possesses a great infli tflence with the natives. He has tapu'ed the runanga house at Te Teko; also the house at Ruatoki, and Maoris who are not his followers, still seem to respect his tapu. At Ruatoki his power was most evident, for although the meeting-house belongs to the whole !of the natives in that Eainga, still the tapu prevented the meetings being ' held there. At the boundary line, where j the tapu begins, is a- kind of turnstile at each side of which is a can of water. All Rna's followers passing this boundary lave their hands both going and coming, some wiping them on a towel lying on the stile, while others wave their hands in the air till they dry. European visitors were not allowed to pass this boundary. Two, who did cross, caused quite a commotion. A wahine rushed wildly, and closed the door, also the window of the house, and before the intruders had gone far a follower of the prophet politely, but firmly, in> tiniated that they were on forbidden ground, the reason given being that they had pipes and tobacco in their possession. Conversing with this Ruaite, your correspondent got some interesting particulars regarding the teachings of the new Tohunga. The Maori said, "You should pay a visit to our settlement, at Haungapohatu, and see what Rua is doing for our people. In seven months we have cleared 700 acres of bush, which we will put down ia grass for our cattle. We have built wooden houses, and do not sleep on the floor. Rua got' us to make wooden bedsteads, as he is opposed to people sleeping on the floor. You never see dirty children at our place, but, until we get something growing, it is hard to live, as it costs 17/ to get SOlbs. of flour to our settlement. There is no waipiro there, and Rua prohibits smoking as well." "Is it true that Rua has several wives?" was asked, to which the native replied, "Yes, he has seven, same as man in Bible." '"What man.' was the nest query, whereupon the native admitted he had forgotten the name, but said Rua knew all about him. Asked if Rua's followers also had more than one wife, the Maori said, "No, only Rua," explaining that the prophet only took seven wives to be the same as the man in the Bible. "Only for a time, you know," he added. "By-and-bye they be other men's wives." It is to be hoped that Rua's study of the Scriptures will not in the future cause him to feel that it is his duty to rival Solomon in all his glory. Whatever the faults or Rua may be, he must at all events be given credit for three things, namely, making his people work hard, and absolutely prohibiting smoking drinking. It would seem that to a certain extent he believes in individualising titles to land, as one of the chiefs, Kereru's cause of complaint against the prophet was that he was sub-dividing the land, and giving titles to sections. Kereni said that as long as Rua and his people were improving the land he would not disturb them, but if he heard of section? being sold, then he would get the block divided so as to protect the interests of his own people. Some of Rua's assertions are so extravagant as to make one doubt his sanity, and also wonder at the innocence of those who blindly follow kirn. For instance, at Whakatane is shown the rock to mark where the famous Matatua canoe dropped the anchor when the tribe first reached New Zealand. With regard to this, Rua has assured his followers that the anchor still lies below, and is of solid gold. He also states God had three sons, and he (Rua) is the third, being therefore the brother of the Messiah. The faith of Rua's followers is so strong that the "Star" correspondent, having crossed the barrier into the Tapu ground,, was consolingly told, "Never mind, you die soon now," and having afterwards bent down to speak to a little three-year-old Rua-ite, the mother wildly rushed to save her darling from contact with the offender, and, taking its tiny hands, waved them in the air, saying, "Shoo, pakeha!" Although it is said that Rua treats his followers fairly in the matter of expenditure from the common parse (which he holds), still he does not forget bis own comfort, being no doubt of opinion that "the prophet is worthy of his hire." Hence his house is a large one, containing 16 rooms. Rua is now stated to have over 1000 followers, and, as he claims to rule the world, the great danger is that in his mystic madness he may not always be in a peaceful mood. It was a somewhat significant fact that while Rua went to meet the Prime Minister at Whakatane, he removed to a place nine miles from Ruartoki, so as not to face the Native Minister, who is so well versed in Maori matters. At the same time, Rua had despatch riders travelling throughout the meetings to keep him posted as to what was going on, he receiving and sending as many as six messages a day. There is, however, not the slightest doubt that the visit of the Native Minister has done a good deal towards breaking the influence of the new Tohunga of 'lahoe j land. " !