THE PROPHET RUA.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 233, 25 June 1908, Page 5

THE PROPHET RUA.

HIS VISIT TO THE SOUTH. <DT' TELEGRAM.—SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.) ' . Creytown, June 24. Rua and his party of eight arrived at the Maori' pah at Pnpawai on Monday evening. He was received with due ceremony, and with the customary Maori hospitality, biit the local Natives do not appear to have been .greatly impressed by his pretensions. He was freely advised not to stay too long in AYellington-if he wished, as he said, to maintain the old customs and traditions of his race free.from pakeha domination. Rua, however, dodared himself strong enough to preserve his own individuality and; that of his party even in the capital, and in contact with the Govoniment. Although pressed to remain longer, Rua and his companions left the pah on Tuesday afternoon. .

ARRIVAL IN THE CITY. Rua, with about a dozen followers, arrived at Wellington yesterday morning, and he secured quarters at the "Peace and Plenty" restaurant —a name to tsmpt the Maori with —near the Parliamentary Buildings. The inevitable reporter was out on tho warpath last night in search of the prophot, in tho hope of listening sympathetically to his interesting views, but ho was doomed to disappointment. He'had;some difficulty in finding tho restaurant, but ho encountered a couple of Maoris, who were very anxious to see Rua, . and the threo wont off together. They went up tho wrong street, but' eventually they arrived at (their destination, and enquired for tho great man., A Maori, but moderately acquainted with English, stood at the doorway, and to him a few enquiries were, addressed.! The quartette. entered the premises, and found about twenty very' respectable-looking Natives discoursing round a fire in a well-furnished ■ room. The buzz of conversation ceased as the pakeha made his appearance, and he receivod the intelligence that 'Rua had gone to bunk at half-past seven—in accordance with the simple .life doctrine presumably. Tho Pressman received, the message, "Taihoa—in to morning,"- bo perforce he gave up tho quest.