THE LATEST MAORI TOHUNGA.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8116, 22 May 1906, Page 4

THE LATEST MAORI TOHUNGA.

On Friday afternoon (says the "Opoliki Herald") the customary serenity of the township was disturbed by the arrival of a large cavalcade of aboriginal natives, numbering over 300. They had journeyed from Mangopuhatu, in the t'rewera Country, and formed an escort to a certain dusky gentleman named Bua Tapu, who claims to be a of Christ, and whose special mission on earth is to save the Maoris Bua, in the course of an interview appeared to be perfectly sincere in his professions. He said that Christ was sent to save the patella, and that since His advent the Europeans have flourished and multiplied exceedingly. Now ho (Rua) has been seat to remove the tapu ftpm the Maoris, and when this is accomplished the natives, he .•, .vill increase as the pakeha, and ivax tat and prosperous. Rua Tapu is a young man, his age probably being about thirly-flve. He is evidently intelhgent, anil knows at ill events how to conduct a campaign jt the nature of that on which lie has set out. He is jealously protected by a bodyguard of 28 policemen, so-called, and it is impossiole to obtain speech with him without a formal introduction, which is not granted to everyone. l!ua, of course, is prepared to heal all

m.inner of bodily ailments, and during his stay here he has been visited by a good many of the aillicted ones of creation. In the case of aboriginals a fee is demanded, but it is noteworthy that in the case of pakehas whom he "treated," he absolutely declines to take money. Un the merits of Una's p»wcrs in this direction, it is not for us to express a decided opinion (says the Opotiki Herald), although probably the virtues of faith are not recognised by him. One or two instances have been brought under our notice. Mrs Ware Makao, who had been suffering from sore eyes, besought Kua to cure her. Taking a shining threepenny piece, Eua placed it for a moment under his arm-pit, then holding it up bade the woman look at it. This done, she was told to take the coin and put it in her tea k that night, and swallow the liquid. It is reported that Makao's eyes are now as bright and strong as when she was a careless slip of a damsel running wild on her native hills and revelling in all the luxury of youth. A well-known local settler, whose testimony cannui be doubted, was a martyr to a weak back, on which he had a porous plaster. He went to Rua and was ordered to remove the plaster. Two coppers were given to place in his tea and drink the liquid.

He now states that his ailment has disappeared and he can gambol about like a 2-year old. Aloeal storekeeper, who was suffering from a sore chest, also went to iiua, who diagnosed the case with surprising nicety, gave the applicant for relief a shilling, with usual prescription. Another undoubted cure.

In concluding the brief notice of Bua Tapu, the Opotiki " Herald " adds that Mr Seddon will no doubt be pleased to learn that King Edward ito visit the colony, and will meet Ru. at GSsbornc on June 28th, and, as llua naively added, "he is bringing four millions with him!"

Mr Ngata, the native member fur the East Coast, arrived at Ojjjliki last week, and received a number of deputations from natives on various matters, prior to proceeding to Wellington for the ensuing session of Parliament. Questioned by a press representative on the best means of dealing with the present infatuation of a number of the native race who have left lucrative occupations to follow the would-be pro - phct, he was emphatically of opimou that it should be allowed to run its course, otherwise the prophet would be made a martyr, and more harm than good would result. He regarded the movement as a sort of epidemic, and when tlio disease had run its course, the followers of the impostor would bo effectually cured, and not likely to 6 atcli the disease again.