AN ANGRY "PROPHET."

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14303, 24 February 1910, Page 5

AN ANGRY "PROPHET."

RUA BECOMES AGGRESSIVE.

POLICE INQUIRIES ORDERED.

[BY TFXKGRArn.rRESS ASSOCIATION.]

Wellington*, Wednesday. Rua, .. the . Maori, who exercises spiritual sway, over a large number of Urewera natives, is reported to have became aggressive towards European settlers at Waiotahi, in the Bay of Plenty. Mr. Larry Lewis, a farmer at . Waiotahi, informed % a representative of the Opotiki Guardian that on Friday Rua and a crowd of Maoris-rode past his property. One of Mr. Lewis' employees sang out "There goes Rua on a black horse." Others replied : " No, Rua always rides a white horse." Someone called out: "It's Rua all right; I saw him going down on that horse on Thursday." V

• The Maori " prophet" seemed to consider that he had been'treated impudently, and talked about killing the whole of the whites on the place. • A - wahine handed him a parcel containing a "gun in' two parts, and Rua attempted to- adjust it. One of his followers approached the house, smashed all the - glass in the lower sashes by throwing sticks, and then attempted to damage the milk cans. Rua fixed up his gun, but did not use.it, and departed with his r retinue in the direction of Waimana. • . .

The matter was brought under the notice of the Hon. .Dr. . Findlay (Minister for Justice) by a New Zealand Times representative, who asked if the Justice Department considered it- necessary to take special steps to deal with the matter. " I have called for a police report on the whole thing," stated Dr. Findlay. "So far - Rua has been allowed no more in-, didgence than any other person, European or Maori, and he would have to be dealt with like anyone else if he breaks the law. The public may be assured that Rua will be allowed no license." ,