THE MAORI PROPHET

New Zealand Times, Volume XLI, Issue 9267, 7 February 1916, Page 6

THE MAORI PROPHET

TROUBLE ANTICIPATED ARREST likely to be resisted. Pros* Association. AUCKLAND, February 5. The “Star’s” Whakatane correspondent telegraphed this morning: “Grave anxiety is felt by settlers on the outskirts of the Urewera Country on account of the “prophet” Rua, who has taken tho title of Kaiser, and phophesied that the other Kaiser wall meet him shortly at Whakatane. Some credulous followers believe him. Rua is using the fact to influence them to assist him in avoiding arrest. I learn on the best authority that meetings held throughout the Urewera 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 there are a fair number of rifles in the possession of tho natives. The rifles have been used for pig hunting. Half-fanatical Maoris have been obtaining a considerable quantity of liquor. At tho meetings referred to over three hundred handed in their names as Rua’s bodyguard. It is certain that any attempt to arrest him will be mot by force. “Two native constables left hero yesterday to try to persuade Rua to accept arrest quietly. They have to travel 65 miles over rough tracks.

“It is generally believed here that trouble—possibly very serious—is brewing.” THREE HUNDRED FOLLOWERS PLEDGED TO PREVENT ARREST. Press Association. AUCKLAND, February 6. No further details are to hand to-day of the antics of tho "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 te.turned to Taneatua after an attempt to bring Rua in. They were told by Rua’s followers that ho refused to come, and they were asked to leave without delay. They did so in order to avoid trouble. A correspondent states that the followers of the “Kaiser of Urewera” number over 300. They are pledged to resist his arrest. LATEST NEWS AN UNFOUNDED REPORT. AUCKLAND, midnight. The “Herald’s” Whakatane correspondent telegraphed to-night that great excitement has been caused through the circulation of sensational and false rumours concerning the “prophet" Rua. Tho constables sent to arrest Rua did not get more than half-way to their destination owing to flooded rivers. Constable Cummings states ho does not anticipate any trouble in arresting Rua. RUA THE FANATIC A MAD MAORI AND HIS PEOPLE. Rua, the Maori prophet and tohuuga extraordinary of the Urewera country, has broken out in a new place. Somewhere about 1906 Rua founded a new and exclusive religion, and he had a good number of followers. H© commenced operations in the Bay of Plenty, round about Whakatane, Taneatua,’ and Opotiki. The chief of the tribe at Whakatane, one Hurunui, was rather partial to Rua, but the majority of the natives would not have his blarney. He is a polygamist, which fact probably accounts for the large number of women at the citadel of virtue in the heart of the Urewera country, territory into which no whit© man. dared put his nose until a few years ago. \ . Rua’s male followers are distinguished from their less believing brothers by their long hair: it is a curious aigljt to see some , fifty of these braves riding along on their Maori “weeds,” with their long hair flowing in the breeze. The original intention of this new brand of religion was to create a separate State, or Government, in defiance of European or native law and custom, but here, Rua fared badly. On one occasion a sensation was caused at the native settlement some fourteen miles from Whakatane, by the abduction of a girl, who, was thought, would adorn the harem of Rua: After a great deal of trouble the maid was rescued and restored to her home, but not before an armed force had frightened a few weeks’ growth out of Rua and his men. On© season the crops failed, and a descent was made upon the neighbouring townships by the men of the prophet, who disposed of their stones, weapons, bird-snares, and other valuable devices to the pakehas at ridiculous prices. The writer bought a beau-tifully-carved pigeon-snare for Is, which he sold in Auckland a year later for £4. Rua has caused a great deal of trouble to the authorities through his defiance of the laws, especially those pertaining to the use of liquor, which he evidently manufactures on the premises, since the law prohibits the sale of intoxicants to natives for consumption off the premises.

The present trouble is conseguent upon Rua being sentenced to nine miontlhs’ imprisonment for supplying natives with liquor. Th© difficulty in th© whole thing is the catching of the long-haired tohunga. In the mountainous virgin country where he holds sway, immeasurable trouble will be encountered by his pursuers, and if the natives round about decide to favour their own, in preference to the pakeha, the arresting forces will strike no end of trouble. The Orewera country is essentially wild. Ravines, precipitous gullies, mountains, and full native forests will provide ample shelter for the fanatics. If such a thing as a determined pursuit is necessary to secure this madman', the attackers will experience more trouble over their commissariat than will the pursued, the latter having all his native knowledge and devices, besides being accustomed to exist upon the fruits and roots of the bush.

The true Maori (not the kind met in the cities) is deeply religious; he thinks more of religion .that) he does

of work. If, as the message from Whakatane suggests, R.ua has secured the co-operation of hundreds of friendly natives, many as fanatical as himself, there will undoubtedly be trouble, as the leader is as defiant, dare-devil, and unscrupulous as the Mexican bandit Villa. There are few tracks (no roads) and practically no telephone communication in' the Urewera country, but one thing in favour of the law is the existence of a number of native police who know the country from end to end, and who can live on piko piko and poaka just as well as Rua can*