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Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17857, 1 September 1923, Page 18

The strange influence that the groat Maori chief Te Whit-i held over his tribe before the death which he defied overtook lnm still remains with a few of his faithful followers, known as Ta Whiti-ites (states an exchange). Te "VVhiti commanded his intimate followers, among other things, that they must not accept rents from the native lands noi pay any ratee or taxes in respect thereof, because he believed the land would ono dny come hack to the Maoris. This command has been more or less faithfullly obeyed by the old warrior's disciples, and to this day «i few of them absolutely refuse to accept the proffered rents which have been accumulating for years in the hands of the Native Trustee. Just -as resolutely they refused to pay rates to the local bodies, and this latter fact has led one or two Te Whiti-ites into trouble with the Hawera County Council, which is now endeavouring to obtain payment of rates from the accumulated rents held by the Native Trustee. The alarming sight of a man cycling with part of his clothing ablaze Was witnessed in Mount- Eden road on Tuesday !(says the Auckland "Herald"). Ho had evidently placed a lighted cigarette in his coat pocket, and this set fire to the cloth. Fanned by the breeze, caused by the man's rapid movement on the bicycle, the flames blazed up, and for a moment it looked as if the rider could not escape serious injury. "With commendable presence of mind, however, he jumped from his bicycle, and had his coat off in a moment. This done he calmly proceeded to stamp ant the flames. He was not burned.