RUA.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2040, 27 March 1907, Page 2

RUA.

A THREATENED TROUBLE. Natives who have been working in the vicinity of Run’s camp at Kangaroo have returned to their- homes in consequence of the attitude of Run’s followers who, they say, have treated them sullenly. So ominous has this attitude been that the natives feared violence, and considered it the wisest course to get away from the place as quickly as possible. They report that Run’s camp contains something between three hundred and five hundred followers who will do anything he bids them to do, and their apprehension is that when Run considers himself strongly enough enforced lie will suddenly change peaceful professions to tin aggressive, attitude and raid the country in order to compel people to adopt his religion, even if violence lias to he used to that end. At the native gathering at Pakirikiri yesterday the matter was seriously discussed, and grave fears expressed that the religious fanatic would resort to unpleasant methods of compulsion, and the opinion was freely expressed that the Government should at once send an armed force to remove the alleged prophet's earn]) and sea tier his followers to their homes. The native chief on whose land Uuii.diiis squatted, has requested him to .love on; but the reply is that Run is in supremo command and cannot be touched by oyilinary nnfffids. The piosition is evidently booming serious, and as new followers are every week being added to the new creed, it is quite likely that the natives’ prognostications may prove correct if nothing is done to disperse the prophet’s adherents and shift him to some other place. The natives say that large supplies of food are being gathered in in contemplation of some kind of campaign, and this fact, combined with the sullen and suspicious attitude towards members of their own rac-e is sufficient ground for their grave forebodings.