THE TOHUNGA'S RETURN.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 823, 23 February 1903, Page 2

THE TOHUNGA'S RETURN.

HETA TE KANI DIETS NOT.

, A considerable stir among the Maoris : was noticeable in the vicinity of Ka'ti 1 yesterday. Wereta, the Maori Tohunga, ; about whom the natives are making such • a fuss, had returned to Gisborne, being 1 supported by a strong bodyguard of horsemen. Heta te Kani also returned, being none the worse for his defiance of Te Kooti’s spirits. Te Kooti, it will be remembered, had prophesied that Heta would die if he ventured up the coast, while Wereta had told him the reverse, ‘ Heta to defy the spirits of Te nerviuj, not die, natives do not Kooti. As he u... --4 fraud who regard Te Kooti as a decease j made false prophecies, but they muWereta as bring a greater prophet than Te Kooti. Even a member of Parliament, Wi Fere, has been influenced by Wereta. He was appointed an apostle during the Tohunga’s absence up the coast, and Wi became as frisky as a two year-oid in displaying to pakehas that the mantie had not fallen on unworthy shoulders. In

fact Wi now goes so far as to suggest that as Wereta’s ministration has so ---fill with the natives the pakehas succto—- .v,o benefit of his services should be given v— shrewd Wi in the healing line. Thai should be so much taken up with v,...

is ample evidence of the firm hold the Tohunga has on the Maori mind. It would be a good thing if Wi could get Wereta to make a trip to Wellington when Parliament is in session to tr his hand on some of the politicians.