Another Maori Healer Appears

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 110, 30 July 1927, Page 1

Another Maori Healer Appears

RATANA’S MAN A CHALLENGED (.From Our Cion Correspondent .) OHAKUNE, To-day. ANEW faith-healer has arisen among the King Country Maoris who may possibly challenge the declining mana of Katana. The cure by a Maori named Mareikura Hori of the child of Mr. J. O’Connel has attracted much attention. A large gathering of natives in Ohakune this week, which was addressed by Mareikura, testified to a spiritual revival among these Maoris.

JT is said to be Mareikura’s aim to bring all his native following together “under the Roman Catholic faith, and to make them one church.” He is described as a thoroughly sincere and earnest man, really desirous of bettering conditions among his people.

The boy treated by the healer has made remarkable progress. The cure has undoubtedly been sustained. He had been in hospital for some considerable time. Two doctors are said to have despaired of the case. Addressing the Maoris at the Ohakune model pa, Mareikura advised them to have nothing to do with the tohungas or their teachings.

His services are free to those who require them. The only essential qualification is faith. Money is not accepted for any service rendered. The father of the O’Connel boy told of the lad’s wonderful progress since treated by Mareikura. He described the great blessing that had come to* his family through the me dium of faith-healing. The native inspector for the Health Department, Mr. Hooper, also spoke at the gathering, declaring that he considered Mareikura a conscientious man who was much gifted. The presence of so many pakehas. at the gathering was evidence that the spirit of brotherhood was greatly enhanced by spiritual intercourse between the two peoples.