A NEW MAORI PROPHET

Waikato Times, Volume 93, Issue 14521, 19 November 1920, Page 5

A NEW MAORI PROPHET

WONDERFUL CURES REPORTED. BIG INFLUENCE EXERCISED. NO TOHUNGA METHODS. 'By Telegraph. —Special to Times.) TE KUITI, Friday. For weeks there has been a steady stream of Maoris from this district leaving to hear a new Maori "prophet," who has arisen in the native world and whose headquarters are near Turakina, octween Marlon and Wanganui. On Tuesday's midnight express over ".0 Maoris left for the south, and it is stated that the number from this district alone who have visited the new Rua is nearly 1000. When these ar? the figures for only one district, it w.'U be seen that the new "prophet" is exercising a big influence on the native jmlnd. The name of this interesting personage is Wirfmu Ratana, and his methods are quite modern, containing no suggestion of the old-time" Tohungaism. Ho is a faith healer and has some remarkable and attested cures to his credit. There are no ceremonies and no ritual, lie tells the natives to do away with the old Maori beliefs and abide by the doctrines contained in the New Testament. He adopts the principles of psycho-suggestion, and has applied them with remarkably successful results. A well-known native of this district, John Hetet, went away on crutches that he had used continuously for the last 1? months. Ratana, purely by suggestion, it is asserted, effected a wonderful cure, and now the man is walking about the streets of Te Kuiti in perfect health for one of his age.

Another local example is that of a native, named Hami Puni, a very wellknown local identity, who has been on crutches for years. He visited the new 'prophet" and the following was said to have taken place:—

The "Prophet": What! A man with four legs! Throw them away and run to the house there! And Hami Puni ran, and is now walkins the streets of Te Kuiti in quite good health.

The "prophet" is also said to have cured hundreds of minor ailments and complaints. He certainly has been a good source of revenue to the Railway Department.