RUA IN AUCKLAND.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 10, 14 April 1916, Page 8

RUA IN AUCKLAND.

FOR SAFE KEEPING. HIS ARRIVAL IN NEWMARKET. The .Maori "prophet" Rua, who was arrested in his stronghold at Maung'pohatu in the Lrewera Country on 1 Sunday week, arrived in Auckland on i Monday afternoon, in company with 'his son Whatu and four other Maori followers, under arrest, to be lodged in Mt. Eden gaol for safe keeping pending their reapparance at the Rotorua court on Monday next on several charges arising out of the affray that occurred at the time of the arrest. | Just prior to the arrival of the Rotorua express at Newmarket station (savs the Star), a number of people who had got news of the arrival of the last of the several picturesque personalities that have figured as "prophets" |cr leaders in the history of the civilisjation of the Maori, assembled at the station to get a glimpse of Rua. Mayhe there were some who had heard stories of the "prophet" and his romantic appearance who were disappointed when Rua, handcuffed by the left wrist to his son Whatu, stepped quietly from the train. His long raven locks had been clipped, and he was attired, not picturesquely, but as a Maori of restrained taste would dress for a visit to town. Well-fitting navy blue coat and trousers, cap, and light (street boots transformed th'e "prophet" into merely a big, well-dressed Maori. A peaked collar of the latest style showed that the neck had owed to the canons of fashion, and a red necktie was the only splash of color in Ids dress. With downcast eyes ho and his son, the latter cast in much smaller physical mould than his notorious father, walked along the platform to Remuera road, escorted by Sergeant Cox and Constable Trotter. They were followed by four other Maori prisoners in charge of Constables MeHugh and Hamilton and the whole party, without any fuss, boarded a waiting brake and were driven to Mt. | Eden gaol. J The rest of the posse of twenty 'police officers and men that had gone from Auckland to assist in the arrest wore on the same train, in plain clothes, and some of them debarked at Newmarket, but took no part *in the escort work.