AN INDIGNANT PROPHET.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2235, 6 July 1908, Page 2

AN INDIGNANT PROPHET.

A TALK WITH RUA. HIS ERSTAVHHLE GIRL AVIFE. [Special to “Times.”] AVELLINGTON, July 4. Some surprise, but no great concern, was manifested by Rua when the representative of your paper called uponi him this evening and showed him the Press Association telegram from Auckland regarding tho action of the police in forcibly, taking his girl wife away from his kienga ip the Urewera. AVhen the press man- called at the lodging house in ‘AlOlesworth street, which has formed the abiding placo of the “prophet” and his apostles during the past week, he a happy family party of about'a dozen, including two or three Maori ladies, comfortably seated arouiid a pleasant fire in' a sitting room at the rear of the restaurant attached to the establishment-. An introduction to Rua soon paved tho way to business. Rua, on being asked through an interpreter ■ (who spoke but very indifferent English) whether he had any statement to make concerning the indictment referred to, replied that !v “ knew nothing of it . On the p . being explained' to him, he to be relieved rather than or -ve. “I ‘did not want tho girl,” he said, “she was brought to me at AA’aimana, and would not go away from me, and went with me to the kianga.” Tillsit was elicited, happened three or four months ago. The girl’s father, it appeared, went to the prophet shortly afterwards and demanded his daughter. Rua states that lie was quite willing to hand her over to her parents, but she refused to go; therefore the announcement of the action-of the police troubled him but little. Questioned in regard to the defiant attitude alleged, to have been assumed towards the police ,by • his son, Rua said, “Oh, lie only a boy, only 19 you know, lie know no better. It was wrong to do tliat.’” The outlook for Rua junr. would seem to be stormy. THE FOOD SUPPLIES.

The' statement as to the shortage of food at the village was also pointed out to- Rua. He expressed heat and astonishment, ..®and explained what means lie had taken before leaving home, to keep the wolf from the door. He had left £6O, “all cash,” with liis son to buy food with for his people during his mission to the capital. Since he had been in AVellington the son had sent along ail- account for.' £32 14s 3d, for food, purchased “on tick’” during In's absence. AVhether the £6O had been expended in addition he was -unable to say. He bad left a good deal of food, such as flour,'rice, and oatmeal, dir the larder at the kianga," and in! addition there were, wild and tame bullocks, and pigs. “Plenty of them all-ab6ut, and three butchers to kill thorn. Plenty tucker there, -no need anybody t 0 starve.” The sender of the telegram from Auckland came in for-a bad time. “People no -right to put that in the paper and make out my people aro starved like; who sent that?” The interviewer confessed his ignorance on the subject, but inquired what ltua would do to the man if he found out his name. . “AA’liat I do? .AVliy I summons him for giving mo bad name about food that’s what I do and I quick about it.’ “SOME BUSINESS TO FIX!” An endeavor to extract some information regarding R-ua-’s estimate of the value of his visit to Wellington resulted in tho information being vouchsafed that he had had two interviews with the Native Alinister, but that he still had “some business to fix.” Tie -hoped to “fix” this tomorrow.

“Is any good likely to come to the Alaori people through your visit?” The propliqt, through the interpret ter, diplomatically replied that this was a “difficult question to answer, but he hoped good will be done.

“Has Rua got any idea of entering Parliament?” The question was conveyed to Rua, and he laughed almost contemptuously. The reply, a's interpreted, was decisive: “You mean- be a member; get in like Alahuta ? Oh no, nothing like that I” RUA’,S' RETURN.

’Rua and party intend to leave on their return to the Urewora district on Monday morning. They .state that they have been treated with kindness and courtesy by all the people in Wellington, except the wharf laborers, who jeered at their long hair. Rita says that lie is'satisfied with the result of his interview with the Native Minister. In regard to dealing with the Maungapohatu block, consisting of six thousand acres, their, proposal is to reserve 20,000 acres for themselves, the remainder to be leased or sold to European and Maori settlers. Xvereru, one of their leading chiefs in the Urewera district, arrived in Wellington, last evening with a small party of followers. He opposes Rua’s idea in dealing with the land, and a further conference between Tverern, three of Rua’s followers (who remain behind), and the Native -Minister will take place.