DEATH OF RUA.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 1927, 16 January 1919, Page 3

DEATH OF RUA.

One result oftlie ( , |»i(fcmie in tin* Crewera country was the death of the notorious “’prophet,” Run Tapuinii Hepelipa, at the age of about tillv years. In It)OS Rua achieved a considerable following 1 of Maoris, together with a number of wives, and at the Mangapohalu pa lie creeled a eireuhtr temple, and therein he used to ollieialo as “high priest,’’ t hough of late years the temple was put to more practical use as a wool store. In November. HUS, lie failed to appear to answer a charge of sly grog-selling. Jrllorls to induce him to surrender himsclt to justice having failed, a police expedition, under the (hen Commissioner, Mr •). Cullen, set out at the end of March to apprehend him. The armed police party of about sixty reached the "prophet V’ stronghold at Mangapohalu on the morning of Sunday, 2nd April, ItlKi. The taking of Kua was followed by bloodshed, bis followers and the police exchanging shots, the tiring proceeding lor about twenty minutes. Tavo of the Ala,oris Averc killed, including Rua's younger son, Toko, aged 22, Avhile four of the police and lavo or three Natives wore wounded. Run was charged with resisting arrest on 2nd April, and on a previous occasion, at Waiiti. His trial at (he Auckland Supreme Court tasted forty-seven days, from Olh June, HH.ti, I" 2nd August. He Avas found guilty ot “moral* resistance at Wai-ili, and sentenced to twelve months’ imprisonment, to be followed by eighteen months’ reformative (realment. Before the expiry of the la tier term, a fcAV months ago, Rua avus released, on I lie recommendation of the Prisons Board. He returned to the Vrewora counivy, and in the (dosing singes of the Avar Avas reported to have been instrumental in inducing manv young Maoris to enlist. Referring I" the reported death, of the Maori prophet Rue, Colonel T. W. Porter, of Wellington, writes to The Post :—“'Hie Maori name of the prophet before he became bead of the Ringa-Tu cult, as successor to Te Konti Rikirangi, was Rualopn Kenana. On the assumption of the prophetic rob' lie was re-christened Rna-Tapunui-Hepciipa (Rua: Most Holy Hephzi-bar), This name was taken from the Book of Isaiah, eh. 02, verse T: “'Thou shall n<vmore he termed Forsake)!; neither shall thy land anv move he termed Desolate; hut Ihou shall be called Ilephzi-har (My Delight), and thy bind Beulah; for the Lord delighieth iu thee, and thy land shall ho married.’’ Rua. was shortly to have divulged tho secret burial place of his predecessor, Te Kooti, which still remains unknown. The Atua (God) Avas to disclose the Avhereahouts of the tomb to Rua Avhen the people assembled.”