TE ROOTI LANDS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19666, 25 June 1938, Page 4

TE ROOTI LANDS

RINGATU CHURCH CLAIM adherents assembling M JNISTEII’ S CONFERENCE GATHERING- IN RUATOKI (S'pflcial to tho Herald.) WAIROA, this day. For the purpose of discussing native land problems and problems pertaining to the Ringatu Church, a large religious meeting will be held in Ruatoki early next week, a party of go Maoris from Wairoa leaving yesterday morning to take part in the meeting.

Sir Apirana Ngala, Mr. 11. R. HBalnenvis, secretary to the Minister of Native Affairs, and Mr. A. T. Carroll have been appointed the adjudicators at tlie gathering.

The Ringatu Church comprises 10 different sections and the meeting is being held with a view to amalgamation of the various sections into one strong body.

Another matter to be discussed is the Wainui property, a few miles from Ruatoki, which was a reserve given to the Ringatu Church. The Government desires to take over the property for development purposes. The Minister of Lands, the Hon. F. Langstone, will attend the meeting to discuss land problems with the natives.

Included among the Wairoa party who left to attend are Messrs. Hata Tipoki, Paitai Wilson, Tamihana Katanga and W. Whaanga. The Wainui property came into the hands of Te Kooti Rikirangi by way of gift from the Crown, when after 15 years of outlawry and five or six years of undisturbed residence in the King Country following the passing of the Amnesty Act of 1883, he again gave rise to much concern among the European settlers, and was induced to settle near Opotiki on land provided for the purpose by the State. For many years the former rebel had wished to return to Poverty Bay, the scene of the 1868 Massacre, giving as his reason his desire to make peace with the people lie had fought in earlier times.

The European population Of Poverty Bay took the strongest objection to his being permitted to make even a short visit here, and much inflammatory talk was heard as to the fate Te Kooti would meet if he ventured across the ranges. The Government endeavoured to allay hard feeling, but the Massacre was still fresh in the minds of the European settlers, and, finding them adamant, the Government gave Te Kooti instructions to stay away.

Possibility of Trouble

The pull of his old associations with Poverty Bay, however, continued to exert its influence on Te Kooti, who had been warmly received in many districts elsewhere, and had been assured of a hearty welcome from the Mahris of this area. He persisted in his declaration that he would at least pay his old lands a visit, and finally lie ventured as close to the fringes of tlie district as Waioeka.

In view of the possibility of serious trouble breaking out in Poverty Bay, should Te Kooti carry out his intention, the Government dispatched troops from Auckland and Gisborne, and native loyalists from the East Coast, to intercept and if necessary capture Te Kooti.

The latter withdrew from Waioeka to Opotiki, and then continued his retirement hastily, finally turning at Waiotahi and giving himself up to Captain Porter, commander of the troops which went from Gisborne. This was the first time since his escape from the Chathams Island that Te Kooti was made a prisoner, and when he was convicted in Opotiki of behaving in a manner likely to create a breach ot the peace, he was sent to Auckland for imprisonment.

Conviction Quashed

Subsequently the conviction was quashed on appeal to the Supreme Court, and Te Kooti threatened to proceed against the Government foi unlawful arrest and detention. The upshot of the later negotiations was that Te Kooti was allowed to settle at Opotiki, where he could have frequent communication with relatives and adherents from Poverty Bay. He died at Kutarere, and was buried in a secret place on the Ohiwa harboui, according to his adherents. There are many people who believe that after his death, his bones were exhumed and brought to Poverty Bay, thus fulfilling his prophecy that he would return despite all obstacles. The Ringatu church, which Te Kooti founded and led until his death, is now slrangly established with a large following' and an imposing list of ministers. Many ot the leading natives ot Poverty Bay and Wairoa are members of this church, mention of which was made at last week’s ceremonies in Wairoa, when it was stated that Hata Tipoki, one of the trustees of the Carroll Memorial carved house, was a Ringatu adherent as well as a strong supporter of the Church of England.