THE MAORI “PROPHET.”

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2241, 13 July 1908, Page 2

THE MAORI “PROPHET.”

AN EVIL INFLUENCE. 111 S LATEST WIFE. A PUBLIC SCANDAL. [Special to “Times.”] AUCKLAND, July 1.1. The reason for llua’s hasty de .arture from Wellington vas dealt wph by a “Star” correspondent to-i t 7, who said that it would oe a lucsy, circumstance for the “long-haired one” if lie is nob indicted on a serious criminal charge. Despite what m»v he said to the contrary, the uulueno exorcised by- Rua has been .most i < r nicious, and if allowed to go uncii-vk-ed may yet lead to serious trouble. In consequence of the natives listening to the teachings of Rua, they have been disposing of their limited stock and with their families are joining the pall at Maungapokutu. The attendance of scholars at li e Waimama, Ruatoki, and ie "I eko schools has sadly diminished, and the unfortunate teachers have good grounds dor complaint. Rua’s tea mlngs may be described as “soulful and uplifting,” but there is a growing feeling that the farce lias gone quite far enough, and that it is time the Government took action to prevent men such as Rua from clogging the wheels of social progress. I lia'*e unimpeachable evidence to the effect that the girl Martha Vereoe is but fourteen years of age. Her father is a resident'of Ruatoki, was connected with Government survey parties, and is described as a respectable settler. Rua, despite the fact that lie already had taken five wives, thought fit to add this girl to his harem. His real wife is about 45 years of age. and there are two sons, not one as has been stated. None of the other girls, who come from Opotiki and IVhakatane way, look over 18 years. While Rua was camped at Waimana, Ivahenui, one of Ins disciples, an uncle of the girl Vereoe, told her that she had been chosen as one of Rua’s wives and persuaded her to leave home and join Rua at IVaimana. Her 'mother protested against the girl being taken away, and she sought the assistance of a inan. to prevent, it. Their protestations were of no avail, and the girl consented to go. Vereoe was absent at the time. Ho has informed Detective Cooney that had ho been present there would have been serious trouble if not bloodshed before lie would have allowed his daughter to be taken from her home.. There was no violence, the girl being a consenting party throughout. The girl’ was eventually taken with others to Rua’6 present pah at Mangapohutu, which is situated about 50 hides duo south of Opotiki. When the news was communicated to Vereoe lie set off post haste for Rua’s camp, and indignantly demanded that his daughter should be handed to him. Rua, whose influence over the child was now complete, stated that the girl could leave the camp if she chose, but that if Vereoe attempted to lay hands On her he would be smashed to atoms. The father pleaded, but with no avail, and finding Ids efforts to rescue his child were futile, lie threatened to place the matter- in the hands of the police. Rua’s reply to this was that if the police came lie would ‘ oppose them. Vereoe laid the'facts of the case before the police, and ill the meantime Rua proceeded to Wellington. Detective Cooney, who recently arrived from Dunedin, was entrusted with the task. On arrival at the pall Coone.v demanded that the girl be handed over to her father, but was met with quotations from the Old Testament which justified Rua’s action. The police pointed out that the girl was under the age of consent and that Rua was committing ail offence against the criminal laws of the Dominion. As to insufficient supplies of food the detective states that- such was the ease, and moreover, that many of those who sold their possessions and joined Rua are now bitterly regretting their rash action. Already some tradesmen have issued distress warrants against persons from the" pah ordering goods, whose action, I understand, Rua repudiates. The whole tiling lias become a public scandal, and Rua, if not prosecuted, should at least ho regulated. Vereoe, father of the girl, has expressed liis determination to see the matter through to the bitter end.