THE PHOPHET RUA.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2163, 20 August 1907, Page 2

THE PHOPHET RUA.

HIS PERNICIOUS INFLUENCE. ACTION TO BE TAKEN.

The harm that tho prophet Rua is working tlie Urewera country is touched upon in the following report received from tho Maori missionary, Bov. Ngaki, who, supported from tho Gisborne centre, is stationed at Wliakatano. The letter was read at last evening’s meeting of the Gleaners Union, held at To Bau College: “Here in Whakatane there are four denominations —(1) Anglican, (2) Boman Catholic, (3) Bmgatu (Te Kooti-ites), and (■!) a sect established by the prophet Bua. The chief heronts of the prophet Bua are tho Ngatiawa and Nga.tipukeko tribes. ■ Tho Ngatiawa tribe have suffered through the confiscation of their land bv the Government, made for the following reason : For havin'! taken tlie children away from school to the tons of high mountains for seven weeks. at tho bidding of Bua, who prophesied that Whakatane would ho devastated by a flood, which did not come to Pa “ln Waioliou, 30 miles from AVha- i katano, some of the natives still cling to the doctrines of Te Kooti, and some are followers of Bua. “Telioulii: The Patulieuheu tribe live here, and are followers of Bua. Now the Government have consented that any European can purchase blocks of land there. A Mr. Grant has purchased a block with an area of 3700 acres. The people have deserted the place, and have now flocked to & Waiohou. This is because the leading chiefs went down to Gisborne with the prophet Bua, they forming Ills bodyguard in his trip to see his friend King Edward VII. . Jvaratia: The Agatimanawa tribe live here. Here there are two denominations — 1. Anglican or Mihinaie 2. Boman Catholics. Formerly thev used to belong to tho Anglican Church, but since they have / divided, some still clinging to the Church of England and others going over to the Boman Catholics. They have, however, nothing to do with the prophet Bua. Te Waiti: The Ngatawhare tribe live here. Some of them are Ringatus and others are Church of England. These people again have no part in Buatahuna: This is one of the principal settlements of Tuboe. TJie people hero have a dislike for Bua, especially for his teachings. They are still followers of ICooti-ism. They are a ready people to hear and they say that all the Old Testament prophecies point to Christ- and have their fulfilment in Him and the words of the prophets have absolutely no reference to Bua. Wo exhort them to cling to the Scriptures. Those only who are ignorant of Scripture are easily led away by s! these false teachers. Te Waimana: On the 10th of May, Bua, together with his followers, came down to Waimana. The reason why he came down was to ask Tuhoe to hand over all tlie Crown lands to him and lie would see that they are sold to the Government. Further in order to support "his intended action ho quoted instances from the Bible, showing sales of land there, as for instance Abraham purchased the cave of Macpelah . . . Annanias and Sapphira sold their .... Another reason why lie went down to Waimana was to stop the children from attending school. This's a deliberate breaking of the law as if tlie Government were asleep to this fact. Those who have signed Bua’s netition number about 133 G. The Tuhoe people have suffered a lot at the hands of Rua. I have had arguments with Rua on Scriptural points, but I find that it is waste of time dealing with foolish men.” '“A The feeling of the meeting was that the seriousness of the position did not appear to he generally recognised. Mr. C. A. He Lautour spoke on tlie question, and moved a motion that the committee be recommended to .8? make strong representations to the [v proper authorities concerning the ';■ state of the Urewera country and other parts affected by Bua’s actions. Seconded by the Rev. H. N. Wright J ' the resolution was unanimously car* s ™”-' ried.