RUA AND OTHERS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 242, 6 July 1908, Page 8

RUA AND OTHERS.

THE TWO PARTIES IN THE UREWERA. REPRESENTATIVES OF BOTH IN 1 . TOWN. Rua wanted to see a reporter yesterday afternoon, so a representative of this journal went along to the boardinghouso in Molesworth Street, which has been tho "prophet's " headquarters during his stay in Wellington. He, or one of his followers, had written out a formal messago of thanks to the people of this city, and those who had ontertained them 011 their way hither, and this document'was read and handod to the reporter. It was to, tho effect that those whom they had met, of both races, had been very good to thcm. They wero grateful' for having-beon shown round the Parliament Buildings. The only exception to tho general courtesy had been the rudeness of some watorside workors, who jeered at tho long liair of the. pilgrims. 'The mistress of the accommodation house had been ■ particularly kind to them, and had kopt smokers and drinkers out of the room which they used. Rua and all but three of his little band will leave this morning for Te Aute, where they will spend the night. They go on to Napier to-morrow, and expect to be at home again by the end of the week. The Disciples. A question as to the* results of their visit produced a good deal : of discussion among tho disciples. The reporter, waiting for more copy, enjoyed watching' them. Thore is much variety in the'appearance of these enthusiasts. One with a shock of curly grey hair and a pointed beard, needs but a somewhat ampler forehead and a stronger noso to make him look a William' Morris or a Robert Browning. Another's face and bearing suggest King Charles 11, and a third might be photographed for, a typical Russian peasant. With their friendly, simple, dreamy ways, they seemed near akin to Dukhobors, that primitive mystical sect whom English philanthropists, a few years, ago, .conveyed from Russia to Canada. Rua is different. His smile is not open and childlike, aa theirs aTO, but furtivo and flitting. He is evidently very clever.

A Land Settlement Scheme. , , The statement that was agreed upon, while the reporter was taking stock of the pilgrims, was to. the effect that they were satisfied with their interviews with the Native Minister. • They had 1 suggested a scheme for- dealing with -the. Maungapohatu Block, which is jointly owned by Rua and his people and many other. Natives. Their idea is to keep .20,000 acres exclusively, for themselves, let the Government administer 80,000 ' acreSj .whereby to . recoup tho expenses of survey work, court proceedings, etc., and devote the remaining 500,000. to European and, Maori settlement under sale or lease to individuals. It was stated that another body, of, Natives interested in tho block did not like these proposals, and that a few of them, headed by Kereru, of Ruatoki, had come down to Wellington to lay their views before Mr. Carroll. It was for the . purpose-of with them and making further representations ■to Mr. Carroll that three of Rua's companions were to remain behind. . *

KERERU INTERVIEWED. Kereru and his company were found by the.reporter in another house of entertainment. There was aiothing at all ■ otherworldly about them. They laughed (which Rua's people had not .seemed able to do), and they smoked. They were an ordinary, sensible, good-humoured set of men. They had not much English among them, and the reporter's 1 Maori''did not extend much . be-' yond " Tenakoe." . Therefore,: Kereru wroto down a short statement in his own language, and the. Pressman took the paper to Sir. A.| T. Ngata,' M.P., who had met the party on their, arrival here 5 . Mr; Ngata gave a free translation as follows:—

"Numia' Kereru and five others of the Urewera tribe, delegates selected by. the section of the TJreweras opposed to Rua, arrived in Wellington on Saturday night. . They have come to interview the Native Minister,' as a consequence of their meeting'with him at Ruatoki, in March last. They want tho general committee selected at that meeting gazetted. This- committee, under tho Act of 1896, will practically administer the Urewera 'lands. The areas which they have decided'to offer to the Crown for'lease by auction they also wish gazetted, as well as tho regulations with regard to mining and prospecting." _ ' •••• - Kereru is chairman of the Ruatoki Maori Committee. 'His companions aro Pouwharo Rawiri, Akuhata Tekaha, Paor'a Rangiaho, Mika Tetawhao, and Tewhetu Paerata.

Kerer.u and'his: friends will interview tho Native' Minister to-day. They expect to : remain in Wellington about a fortnight.