THE PROPHET RUA.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 222, 13 January 1911, Page 2

THE PROPHET RUA.

SLY-GROG SELLING ALLEGED. A RAID OX WAIMANA AT DAWN. Auckland, Tuesday. The Maori prophet Rua, who has expected .many things, including a visit from the late King Edward, received something at an early hour this morning that was possibly as unexpected by the prophet as it was unwelcome. Six constables, without .heralding their approach, made a very early call. It was about four when they descended on Waimana, and both the hour and their precipitancy must have startled the sleeping Rua-ites. It seems that for some two months there have been rumors of sly-grog selling at Waimana. Rua and his followers spent the Christmas holidays at their new town, where about five hundred Maoris from various parts of the Auckland district assembled to participate, in the celebrations. About a score of pakehas were also present. The assemblage was char-acter-iseu by lavish hospitality on the part of Rua and much feasting by his followers and guests. Tons of provisions were prepared for the feasts, the most important of which were held on Christmas Day. The pakehas, some of whom were from Opotiki, were treated with every consideration, Rua's law being that the pateha, guests must take precedence at meals and receive every possible attention. The expenses of* such a feast would naturally be very considerable, but Rua and his people, have plenty of money just now. The Opotiki Guardian, from which the record of this jollification is taken, did not hesitate to say that at least part of the expenses was doubtless defrayed by the profits on the sale of ''mountain dew." Under the circumstances, it is not surprising that the unceremonious police call was with the object of preferring a charge of sly-grog selling and obtaining evidence in support of the charge. Details have not yet been received, as to the results of the raid, but there is every prospect that further trouble is in store for the long-haired prophet.