THE MAORI "PROPHET."

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14304, 25 February 1910, Page 6

THE MAORI "PROPHET."

THE WAIOTAHI OUTRAGE.

MR. NGATA'S COMMENTS.

[BY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION'.]

K}. Wellington', Thursday. The Hon. A. T. Ngata, representative of the native race in the Ministry, who has just returned from the East Coast district, says he knows Rua's ' centre of influenco well, and attaches~liltle importance 'to his reported belligerent attitude towards, a party of 'Europeans.; Mr. Ngata says there is no question about Rua's influence over a section of the Urewera natives —an influence which militates against the education ' of their children and against the operation of the Native. Land Act in the district, but beneficial in a way, because lie has induced a large section of his people to work.

INVESTIGATION URGED.

The East Coast Guardian regards the matter very seriously, and urges that it be fullyinvestigated and that an additional constable be stationed at Opotiki. The Guardian says:—"lt seems to be perfectly clear that Rua and about 30 of his people, while on their way from<Opotiki to Maungapohatu,_ without the slightest grounds for provocation, entered a settler's private property with hostile intents, smashed windows in the house, damaged other property and threatened to murder a small , party of pakehas. Most people will be surprised that an outrage'by Riia is rendered possible by-his continued liberty at Maungapohatu, where ho lias for several years practically defied the laws of the country, exercising authority to which he Has no natural or legal right. Owing to this liberty,. Which has been allowed to him by the authorities, ho has become, encouraged to believe that he is;a great man, - possessing Crown-given authority over whomsoever and whatsoever he pleases, and with "sufficient power to exercise it. This inflated sense'of authority has so obsessed him, and his vanity has become so ridiculously great, that he has added to his .imposture a disregard of British law and order that cannot be allowed to pass unchallenged." . '

RUA, THE "PROPHET." Rua, says a writer in the Dominion who went through the Ureivera. last autumn, is a singularly affable man, and, moreover, a handsome' one! His figure stalwart, wellknit, and upstanding", features good, eves actually beautiful. , A coat of dark cloth, well-fitting, ; and looking as though : just out of the box," covers a neat shirt of soft material, on which blazes a deep blue tie, well suiting the swarthy complexion, Rid-ing-breeches and] leggings'go; to complete a natty attire ; but one had. nearly forgotten the gray felt hat, .perhaps the most notable item of all, for it is attached to the luxuriant black hair with a lady's hatpin! . An odour of scent. also ; emanates from the Mehaia," for if. King Louis was the First Gentleman of France, Rua is certainly the First Dandy of the Urewera. Everything indicates an almost effeminate discrimination, and show that, the - Mehaia is a past master in the art of appearances and poses. With his blue tie and hatpin and gaiters and riding whip, he might pass on Lambton Quay for a well-to-do -.foreign gentleman, or, with a few -alterations, i he] might make a. fortune for Bland; Holt as v the Brigand Chief. Forty odd summers have passed oyer Rua, and he cawies them lightly. He is wonderfully fluent of'speech; and as he "orates" his eye ' kindles, and the hands are often clasped.' To all ' this add * strong touch of unmistakable personal magnetism. , Rua's rule at Maungapohatu has as its outward and visible ; sign a circular temple of wonderful architecture. Another visible sign is a retinue of; wives— one time, nine—mostly young.': ;He had an ambitious scheme make Maungapohatu selfsupporting and self-contained ; by means' -of a system of Maori v co-operative farming with himself as overlord. ; The settlers r "'of* the Whakatane have long murmured r against his ways. :'• « ' ; '-.-«-;■-;-/, ;* . ;;? ; .y t °. r . : ~.y.