THOUGH HE WAS GOD!

Grey River Argus, 27 November 1942, Page 2

THOUGH HE WAS GOD!

MAORI'S CLAIM ENDS IN TRAGEDY.

PA ROTORUA, Nov. 26. Evidence called by the police revealed that religious frenzy, oucas; ioned by the preachings of a Maori who claimed that he was God, was at the bottom of a serious fracas at Waiotapu on October 26, between seven Maoris, the police, and military provosts. As- the result of a pitched battle ,one Maori died and another received a fractured skull, Police Constable Kilgour suffered a fractured skull and several other police and Maoris were severely injured. me six accused appeared in the Rotorua Police Court to-day charged with causing actual bodily harm, assault, and resisting aind obstructing the police. They were Rehu Reinana, 19 years, Micky Reihana, 18 years, Ray Reihana, 36 years. Tim Reihana 31 ‘years, and Ken Reihana 25 years, of Taupo, and Henry October, aged 29, also of Taupo. Witnesses testified that the de- , ceased, Rahu Reihana, who was killed in the fracas, had set himself up as God and declared that he had the power to destroy: any person who tried t 0 resist or arrest him. Family differences had arised over Rahu s threats and claims, and as a result the police were called to eject some troublesome members from a forestry hut that they were illegally occupying Constable Kilgour had tried to reason with the Maoris, but was savagely attacked and battered about the ’head with a baton. His two companions were also attacked. When a second police party proceeded to the scene with instructions to use violence as • a last resort, the Maoris resisted violently with wooden batons. In the resultant fight RahPeihana received a fractured skull and died. Ken Reihana also received a fractured skull, but had since recov. the police evidence with a voluntary statement taken in custody, Ray Reihana, as spokesman for the party said that all had made up their minds to plead guilty. 'they regretted the whole affair. He explained that at the time all had been seized with a feeling they themselves could not understand and this had caused them to do it. They knew they had done wrong. All the accused who were present pleaded guilty, and were committed to the Supreme Court at Auckland tor sentence.