MAORI TROUBLE

Hokitika Guardian, 4 September 1926, Page 1

MAORI TROUBLE

SICKNESS IN A PA. HEALTH DEPARTMENT TAKES FIRM STAND. WELLINGTON, September 2. On various occasions during recent months Government officials have experienced considerable difficulty and much inconvenience with natives, particularly at Thames and the Hauraki Plains. Upon investigations being made it has been found that the groups of .Maoris from which trouble has sprung are members of the Batumi sect. On occasions the EatamUtes have adopted menacing attitudes, and have gone so far as to defy Government officials in the execution of their duties.

During the week-end a-glaring ease happened at a -Maori settlement named Kopuarahi, situated near Kcrepeehi on the Hauraki Plains. A message came through to the head office of the .tuckland District Health Department that a Maori child was sick. The illness had not been reported officially, and it was decided to send the chief inspector, Mr 15. A. Franklin, to the settlement to make investigations. He was accompanied by Nurse Jarrett. Immediately the natives realised who the visitors were there was' great excitement in tlie pa. Prior to this, how-' ever, it was plainly evident that scouts had been sent out to watch the approaches, because immediately the car containing the officials hove in sight a native hoy was observed la make off at top speed through the cabbage trees which surround the camp.

By the time the inspector and Nurse Jarrett arrived a considerable body of natives bad gathered in the vicinity of the hut in which the sickchild was located, gesticulating wildly. The Maoris surrounded the little party and at first absolutely refused to allow the health officers to see- the/ baby. The position waM explained to wcin in a diplomatic manner, but still the Maoris remained adamant. One old woman in particular, was most abusive, and was apparently the ringleader. it transpired that she was the mother of Rangi, “ the Apostle ol Batalin,” who was the “ big man ” of the settlement.

The health officials remained firm, and at last they were permitted to see the child, much against the will of the majority of the assembled Maoris, particularly the women. On entering the rnupo whare a scene of confusion, met the eye. Tlho helpless baby was very ill and was covered with the usual Maori clothing amidst squalid surroundings. It was found that the patient was suffering from typhoid and the health officers decided that in order to save its lit ’ immediate removal to Thames Hospital was imperative. When this fact was announced th • trouble really commenced. This time “Rangi, the Apostle” took a leading part and despite all endeavours removal, was prevented. Word was sent to Auckland and Dr If. (liesson, Medical Officer of Health for the district,' issued instructions for the patient ti be removed by force if necessary. D. Chesson also gave orders that if the child died in the meantime no death certificate was to he issued till a coroner’s inquest was held.

Next day Chief Inspector Franklin Inspector H. H. Mnrtimlale, of Thames, Nurse Jarrett and a policeman pro cecded to the pa. Again there was a demonstration, but not so hostile apreviously. The mother df the sick child, although she wished it to he properly attended to. was in great tear of the other Ratanaites, and especial!.

“ the Apostle.” After a litle time, however, the patient was placed in u motor ear and made as comfortable a ; possible. Accompanied by the weeping Maori mother u:e party made l!m journey hack to the Thames. It wa < not an easy one. and when crossing th i Kopu ferry waves dashed up and ove • the ear on- the punt.

Later it was learned that the natives were still in a state of excitement over the removal of the patient, and as there was a likelihood of the diseas • spreading Dr Chesson decided to proceed to the camp himself and to hav ’ a. korero with Rangi, the Apostle o: Ratana. and his hand <d followers. Accompanied by two health inspector: and Nurse Jarrett he arrived at the pa on Monday afternoon and expressed a wish to see Rangi. Once again the scouts were out, and when the. party arrived at its destination not an ablebodied native was to he seen. Rangi was also missing, but old men Maoii--including the aged father of Rangi, and several women and children clustered round. At first nobody in the pa knew where Rangi was. The other men were working on drainage works. - After much questioning it was learned that “Rangi had gone away in a cart in t’he morning.”

The natives were quiet, but by their demeanour it was observed that there was still a- spirit of resentment manifest. When, however, it was explained to the assembled natives that Dr Chesson was “ To big rangitirn of health,” the mother of the sick child gave all the help she possibly could. She answered many questions put to- her. hut was evidently in great fear. M lieu Dr Chesson entered the whare where the father of Rangi was huddled up on the ground in front of an open fire, the mother went to Nurse Jarrett and, crying bitterly begged her to tell “ to big chief” not to question her any further, because it would only get her into more serious trouble with the Ratana people. Addressing the natives. Dr Chesson made it quite plain that the Government would, not stand any nonsense. It was no use them thinking that .Ratana. or his apostle Rangi could dely the Health Department. If there was any sickness in camp it must lie reported at once to Nurse Jarrett .The Health Department was out to chi everything in its power to help th? natives, especially when there was sickness about, hut if must he distinctly understood that there was only one law in this Dominion, and the Government had made it for pnkclia and Maori alike. The Government and the Health Department did not want any trouble with the natives, but it must, lie realised by all off them that when a ease of sickness occurred, especially one of typhoid, the health officers had certain well-defined duties to perform for the good of the whole community. K was no good lor the natives to endeavour to hide any sickness, and they must distinctly understand that if such were not notified then those responsible would hc< liable to get into serious trouble.

Turning to Hnwern, the apostle Eaiigi’s aged father, Dr Chesson said: “ You tell Rangi I have been here, and tell him all I have said. You say to him he is acting wrongly, and that if he persists he will find himself-in serious trouble. Now I want you all to hear this: In other lias and Maori places when sickness has come the natives always notify the nurse or inspector. This has taken place in other camps where the people are Eatnnailos.”

“ 1 know what I am talking about, proceeded Dr Chesson, “when 1 ted you that Rangi is not acting under instructions from Ratana. Ratana desires that the natives should have the benefit of the Department’s nurses and health inspectors. The Maori women in other Ratana settlements up in the north help our nurses, and when Bata mi’s Maori committee hear of what ihas happened here and elsewhere i'i this district Rangi will get into trouble. You tell him from me that I will not stand any of his nonsense, and lieitbei will the Government. He should have been here to-dav, and we know where he is, although he has seen fit to go away. Now remember well what . T have said, and it there is any more trouble then you will hear about it. The doctor’s words appeared to have made a decided impression on the assembled natives, and their attitude had completely Changed when the official party left the pa. On inquiry at the Thames Hospital yesterday it was learned that, although the Maori child had been so ill, it was doing well.