THE DEATH OF RUA

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 55, 6 March 1937, Page 25

THE DEATH OF RUA

• "I sincerely regret to hear of the death of Rua, the well-known leader of the. Maori people of Matahi and Maungapohatu," writes G. M. Henderson; ; "I: found him on the six or seven occasions that I visited his settlements a very interesting personality, a thinker, and a community builder. I am indebted to him for acts of courtesy and kindness. No one ever accused him of ill-treating -his wives. Of the score or more of his clever, healthy, handsome children whom I have seen one must admit that they were lucky to have him for their father." The correspondent:, criticises the expedition sent to .arrest Rua, and adds that it was lucky "for the members of the expedition ''that it was peaceful Tuhoe Natives and not the veteran fighters of Te Rauparaha whose country., they wef-e" invading. They could have been wiped out to a man." He suggests that that episode should have been allowed to rest at this juncture. "The circular building shown in -Monday's issue is not 'Rua's fortified home' as stated, but a large communal Hall built by him when he led about 1500 Maoris to Maungapohatu to form a Maori town' there. The story of this remarkable exploit is waiting to be written. He told the writer some of his schemes and the difficulties he encountered." Referring to; the picture of Rua and his son in Monday's issue with. the handcuffs on and police beside them^the correspondent -questions whether ' a -similar picture would have been printed on the death of a European resident who had once been arrested but afterwards had become prominent in the" community. ,