RUA GIVING TROUBLE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 4157, 7 February 1916, Page 5

RUA GIVING TROUBLE.

CALLS HIMSELF THE MAORI KAISER. BODYGUARD OF-300 NATIVES. GRAVE SITUATION FEARED. (Press Association Telegram.) AUCKLAND, Feb. 5The .“Star's”. Whakatane correspondent wired this morning: “Grave anxiety is felt by.the settlers on tlie ..outskirts of the Urewera country on account of the prophet Rua, where he has taken the title of Itaiser and prophesied that the other Kaiser will meet him shortly at VTiakatane. Some credulous followers believe him;. Rua i s using _this fact to influence them to assist him avoiding arrest. The correspondent- learns on the best authority that meetings have been held throughout the Urewera at which the Maoris agreed to resist by any means' the arrest of Rua, who was sentenced to nine months’ imprisonment for supplying liquor to natives. . No doubt the situation is grave, since it is known that a fair number of rifles are in the possession of the natives, used for pig bunting, while lialf-fanatical Maoris have been obtaining a considerable quantity of. liquor. At the meetings referred to over three hundred, handed in their names as Rim’s bodyguard. It is certain any attempt to arrest him will be met by force. Two native constables left" here yesterday to try to persuade ltua to accept arrest quietly. They have to travel 65 miles over rough tracks. Nothing can be known till Monday. It is generally believed here that possibly very serious trouble is brewing. The correspondent is in a position to speak with authority and vouches for the facts stated as absolutely .reliable’.

FURTHER DETAILS. (Press Association Telegram.) AUCKLAND, Feb. 6. There are no further details to-day of the antics of “Prophet” Rua, who has taken upon himself the title of Kaiser and is resisting arrest in connection with a recent conviction in the Urewera country. The two native constables have returned to Taneatua after an attempt to bring Rua in. They were told by Rua’s followers that be refused to come, and were asked to leave without delay. They did so to avoid trouble. A correspondent- states that followers of the “Kaiser of Urewera” number over 300, pledged to resist his arrest.

SENSATIONAL AND FALSE

RUMORS

(Press Association Telegram.) AUCKLAND, midnight

The “Herald’s” Whakatane correspondent telegraphed to-night: — Great excitement - has been caused through the circulation of sensational and false rumours concerning “Prophet” Rua. The constables sent to arrest Rua did not get more than half way to their destination owing to flooded rivers. ~ , , Constable Cummings states that he does not anticipate any trouble in arresting Rua.