MAORIS BECOME HOSTILE.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 September 1926, Page 9

MAORIS BECOME HOSTILE.

HEALTH OFFICER DEFIED.

TYPHOID PATIENT SHELTERED.

RATANA SECT RESPONSIBLE.

TROUBLE ON HAURAKI PLAINS,

By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night.

On various occasions during recent months Government officials have experienced considerable difficulty and much inconvenience with natives, particularly at the Thames and Hauraki Plains. Upon investigations being made it has been found that the groups of Maoris from which the trouble has sprung are members of the Ratana sect. On occasion Ratanaites have adopted menacing attitudes and have gone so far as to defy Government officials in the execution of their duties.

During the week-end a glaring ease happened at a Maori settlement called Kopuarahi, situated near Kerepeehi, on the Hauraki Plains. A message fame through to the head office of the Auckland District Health Department that a Maori child was sick. The illness had not been reported officially, and it was decided to send Chief Inspector B. A. Franklin to the settlement to make investigations. He was accompanied by Nurse Jarrett, and immediately the natives realised who the visitors were there was great excitement in the pa. Prior to this, however, it was plainly evident that scouts had been sent out to watch the approaches, because immediately the car containing the officials hove in sight a-native boy was observed to make off at top speed through the cabbage trees which surround the camp. By the time Inspector Bennett and Nurse Jarrett arrived a considerable body of natives had gathered in the vicinity of the hut in which the sick child was located, gesticulating wildly. The Maoris surrounded the little party and at first absolutely refused to allow the health officer to see the baby. The position was explained to them in a definite manner, but still the Maoris remained adamant. One old woman in particular was most abusive and was apparently the ring leader. It transpired that she was the mother of Rangi, “the apostle of Ratana,’’ who was the “big man” of the settlement. SQUALID CONDITIONS IN PA. The health officials remained firm and at last they were permitted to see the child, much against the will of the majority of the assembled Maoris, par'ticularly the women. On entering the raupo whare a scene of confusion met the eye. The llelpless baby was very ill and was covered with the usual Maori clothing amidst squalid surroundings. It was found that the patient was suffering from typhoid and the health officers decided that in order to save its life its immediate removal to the Thames Hospital was imperative. When this fact was announced then the trouble really commenced. This time “Rangi the Apostle” took the leading part, and despite all endeavours the removal was prevented. Word was sent to Auckland, and Dr. H. Chesson, medical officer of health for the district, issued instructions for the patient to be removed by force if necessary. Dr. Chesson also gave orders that if the child died in the meantime no death certificate was to be issued till the coroner’s inquest was held. Next day Chief Inspector Franklin, Inspector H. H. Martindale, of Thames, Nurse Jarrett and a policeman proceeded to the pa. Again there was a demonstration, but not so hostile as previously. The mother of the sick child, although she wished for it to be properly attended to, was in great fear of the other Ratanaites, and especially of “The Apostle.” After a little time, however, the patient was placed in a motor-car and made as comfortable as possible. Accompanied by the weeping Maori mother the party made the journey back to the Thames. It was not an easy one, and when crossing the Kopu ferry the waves dashed up and over the car on the punt. DANGER OF DISEASE SPREADING. Later it was learned that the natives were still in a state of excitement over the removal of the patient, and as there was a likelihood of the disease spreading, Dr. Chesson decided to proceed to the camp himself and to have a korero with Rangi, the Apostle of Ratana, and hie band of followers. Accompanied by two health inspectors and Nurse Jarrett he arrived at the pa on Monday afternoon and expressed a wish to see Rangi. Once again the scouts were out, and when the party arrived at its destination not an able-bodied native was to be seen. Rangi was also missing, but some old men Maoris, including the aged father of Rangi and several women and children, clustered round. At first nobody in the pa knew where Rangi was. The other men were working on the drainage works. After much questioning it was learned that “Rangi had gone away in a eart in the morning.” The natives were quiet, but by their demeanour it was observed there was still a spirit of resentment manifest. When, however, it was explained to the assembled natives that Dr. Chesson was “te big rangitira of health,” the mother of the sick child gave ail the help she possibly could. She answered many many questions put to her, but was evidently in great fear. When Dr. Chesson entered the whare where the father of Rangi was huddled up on the ground in front of an open fire, the mother went to Nurse Ja ■- rett and, crying bitterly, begged her to tell “te big chief” not to question her any further, because it would only get her into more serious trouble with the Ratana people. “WILL STAND NO NONSENSE.” Addressing the natives, Dr. Chesson made it quite plain that the Govern ment would not stand any nonsense. It was no use them thinking that Ratana or his apostle Rangi could defy the Health Department. If there was any sickness in the camp it must be re ported at once to Nurse Jarrett., The Health Department was out to do everything. in its power to help the natives, especially when there was sickness shout, but it must be distinctly understood that' there was only one law in Ibis Dominion, and the Government had made it for the pakeha and the Maori slike. The Government and the Health Department did not want any trouble with the natives, hut it must be realised by all of them that when a ease of sickness occurred, especially one of typhoid, the health officers had certain

well defined duties to perform for the good of the whole community. It was no good for the natives to endeavour to bide any sickness, and they must distinctly understand that if such were not notified then those responsible would be liable to get into serious trouble. Turning to Hawera the apostle, Rangi’s aged father. Dr. Chesson said: “You tell Rangi I have been here and tell him all I have said. You say to him he is acting wrongly and that if he persists be will find himself in serious trouble. Now I want you all to hear this: In other pas and Maori places, when sickness lias come, the natives always notify the nurse or the inspector. This has taken place in other camps where the people are Ratanaites. “I know what I am talking about,” proceeded Dr. Chesson, “when I tell you that Bang! is not acting under instructions from Ratana. Ratana desires that the natives should have the benefit of the department’s nurses and the health inspectors. The Maori women in other Ratana settlements up in the north help our nurses, and when Ratana’s Maori Committee hear of what has happened here'and elsewhere in this district Rangi will get into trouble. You tell him from me that I will not stand any of his nonsense, and neither will the Government. He should have been here to-day, ami we know where he is, although lie has seen fit to go away.

“Now remember well what I have said,” remarked Dr. Chesson finally, “and if there is any more trouble, then you will hear about it.” The doctor’s words appeared to have made a decided impression on the assembled natives, and their attitude had completely changed when the official party left the pa. On inquiry at the Thames Hospital yesterday it was learned that although the Maori child had been so ill, it was doing welL