“PROPHET” PROVES TRACTABLE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 555, 7 January 1929, Page 1

“PROPHET” PROVES TRACTABLE

Agrees to Pay His Debts

POLICE PARTY HOSPITABLY TREATED

SUN’S Special Reporter.)

A TE WHAITI, To-day. r I Ell having camped all night in the bush nearby, the police expeditionary force paid a surprise visit to Rua’s stronghold at Maungapohatu early on Saturday. The early morning mists still clothed the slopes of the sacred mountain, at whose feet the pa nestles, when the party struck camp at four o’clock and rode into the village. No hostility was encountered and after some diplomatic parleys Inspector Eccles was able to conclude a satisfactory agreement with- Rua who undertook that all claims involved in the service of the distress warrant would be met.

ALTHOUGH it would have been an easy matter for the police to have covered the last stage of the journey in daylight, they apparently considered it advisable to give as little indication as possible regarding their visit.

From the time the party left Rotorua on Thursday the greatest se- | crecy lias been observed, every precaution being taken not only to keep the party’s destination secret, but also the object of the visit. Natives in the locality state that some two weeks ago Rua’s pa was visited by Constable MacPherson, of-ficer-in-charge of the Urewera district, when a warrant was served on him. It is also stated that on that occasion Rua clung to a post and said the police would have to shoot him before they could take him. That Rua anticipated another visit seemed apparent on Thursday when three young Auckland men, on a tramping trip, visited the pa. Rua seemed very suspicious, and it was some time before he granted them permission to sleep in the village meeting-house. Rua, who was dressed in a white nightgown, panama hat, gum-boots, and overcoat, presented a strange sight. He was attended by eight Levites. There are 12 of these and they constitute his cabinet. However, the police force, which comprised Inspector Eccles, of Hamilton; Sergeant Hogan, of Rotorua; Constable McPherson, of To Whaiti, and two other constables, were peacefully received.

A korero was held, at which it is understood arrangements were made chat Rua was to bring the money involved to Ruataliuna the following day. Before their departure, the police were hospitably entertained and provided with food.

“HAVE TO SHOOT ME” DEFIANCE OF BAILIFF POLICE OFFICERS’ TACT WINS (SUN’S Special Reporter.) ROTORUA, To-day. The police party returned to Rotorua at noon to-day and reports having col-

lectcd the money from Rua for which the warrant of commitment had been issued. It was stated that when Constable McPherson, of Te "Whaiti, went to the pa two weeks ago, with a warrant for Rua, he resisted, saying in a loud voice, which could be heard by his followers: ‘T will not go. If you want me you will have to shoot me like you did my two followers last time.”

Although no actual threat against the police was made, it was considered by the police that an ugly situation might possibly develop. Inspector Eccles had a long korero with Rua, whom he found quite amenable to reason. Rua treated them hospitably and later brought the money through to RuatahunaNo further trouble from Rua should result, tjianks to the tactful manner in which the difficult situation was handled by the police officers concerned.

ALL CLAIMS PAID SERVICE OF WARRANT INVESTIGATION OF CONDITIONS Press Association ROTORUA, To-day. The bailiff and police returned on Saturday from Maungapohatu to Te Whaiti, after the service of a distress warrant on Rua. All claims were satisfied and the party was hospitably treated. The police are making an inspection of the Urewera country conditions before returning. “NO ARREST MADE” OFFICIAL REPORT OF POLICE Press Association WELLINGTON, To-day. In connection with the dispatch of a body of armed police into the Urewera Country to enforce payment of a civil claim against Rua, the Commissioner of Police, Mr. W. B. Mcllveney, yesterday received the following telegram from district police headquarters at Hamilton: — “Police party now at Te Whaiti. All well. Amount of warrant paid by Rua. No arrest made. Inspector returning 1 Tuesday.”

WHERE RUA RULES LAND OF MOUNTAIN AND FOREST ! “PROPHET’S” GREAT INFLUENCE (SUN’S Special Reporter.) TE WHAITI, To-day. A bleak, cold place, situated on a small plateau at the foot of the sacred mountain, over which clouds continually hover, is Maungapohatu. Over this strange community Rua reigns like a king. Among bis followers his word is law. So strange and powerful is this influence, which is undoubtedly the result of a strong magnetic personality, that many of his followers go out working and return with the proceeds to Rua. With the exception of 3 few plots the country is too steep for cultivation, and little is done in the village, which maintains a state of splendid but dreary isolation. The track into the pa is over very mountainous and extremely difficult country. It is a rough clay track and even at this time of the year wet and slippery for hours. The sun is never seen in some places, where bush-clad hills rise steeply up on either side, giving room only for a horse and a very narrow pack. At times horses have been known to have become wedged in. In other places the track traverses precipitous cliffs, and the steepness of the country makes it extremely dangerous. Although possessing great control over his own people, and by them regarded as a prophet, by other natives Rua is regarded as an upstart, having no heredity rights of chieftainship or other claim to the position he assumes. He has lately acquired another wife, bringing the living total up to six. He has a great number of children, but the exact number the natives cannot tell. Some old residents in the district estimate that his offsprings total 70. Although Rua keeps his pa in a sanitary condition, in fact much better than others, it is generally considered that he is an undesirable influence on the natives of his village, whom he absolutely controls. The wild rugged nature of the country is reflected in the splendid physique of Rua's people. They are hard mountaineers, natural bushmen, and are considered the hardiest type of Maori now living