RUA PAYS A DEBT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3892, 8 January 1929, Page 3

RUA PAYS A DEBT.

BAILIFF ACCOMPANIED BY ARMRD POLICE. PARTY TREATED HOSPITABLY. Auckland, Last Night. Having persistently refused to pay a civil debt of £9O in respect to some cattle, the Maori prophet Rua had to he served with a warrant, and Police Inspector Eccles, of Hamilton, arranged for a police force to go to the Maungapohatu Pa to see that the bailiff was not interfered with.

Arriving at Maungapohatu, at seven o’clock on' Saturday morning, the police immediately went into conference with Rua. Although the police were armed for emergencies, there was no indication of unfriendliness in the mien of the Natives, who exhibited the greatest willingness to assist’ the police in every way. At first Rua was unwilling to accede to the inspector’s requests, but finally recognised their justness, and made a satisfactory agreement. After the discussion, the Natives invited the police to take morning tea with them. The same evening, Sergeant Hogan returned to Ruatalnina to await the arrival of Inspector Eccles, who had remained behind at Te Whaiti with a constable. He was not expected to arrive at Ruatahuna until late yesterday afternoon or early this morning. The whole party will then return to Rotorua. At present the Maungapohatu Pa is practically deserted, owing to the absence of the male population on shearing work. The bailiff and police returned on Saturday from Maungapohatu to Te Whaiti. After service of the distress warrant on Rua, all claims were satisfied and the party was hospitably treated. The police are making an inspection of conditions in the Uvewera Country before returning.