"RUA TE KAISER."

Taranaki Daily News, 11 February 1916, Page 5

"RUA TE KAISER."

WELL KNOWN TO THE POLIbw (From Our Own Correspondent.) Wellington, Feb, ft The Maori prophet Rug, who at ptw> ent is defying the Justice Department v to compass his arrest, ia well known to the police. He and hte followers hare < got on the wrong side of the law a groat many times during the last ten yean, and they have put "the force" to a great i deal of trouble in one way and another. But the officers who have had dealing* with liua in the past are not disposed to believe that his threats need be n« gurded seriously. | liua is ''wanted" at present in order that he may serve a term for sly grogselling. He was first arrested' for an offence of this nature seven or eight '• years ago by Sergeant Willcocke, n*W in charge of the Manners Street Poliea ' Station, and yesterday Sergeant Willi cocks gave a New Zealand Timet -reporter some of hi 3 impression* of the native leader who professes just now to be expecting the arrival of the Saiaer in New Zealand.

When Rua first became prominent at / a chief and prophet, lie announced that ■ lie was going to lead a band of Maoris to Gisborne to meet the King, of Wtibm he talked in a friendly and even patronising way. He made a great impression on many of the natives of the Ring Country, and soon provided liimself with a bodyguard and other trappings. The King did not meet liim at Gisborne, but < Rua explained that fact away somehow, and persuaded his followers to clear land and build him a temple at Mtumgapuhato. He made money out of that van* ture, but lie did not come into contact ■ with the police until he entered the " sly grog business. Then Sergeant Will- ; cocks arrested him, without any Tegard at all for his kingly dignity, and haled him before the court. Rua's lines and costs amounted to about £IOO, and the prophet paid over the money on the spot. The sergeant was struck from behind by a member of the bodyguard on one occasion, but lie arrested tibo offender the next day, taking him from among a number of Rua's followers. '* t Sergeant Willcocks does not think 's that the arrest of Rua on this occa- j sion will be a particularly difficult mat- ,! tor, apart from the obstacles presented ' by the exceedingly rougjh country*nmnd '' Maungapuliato, Very many of the na- " tives have no liking at all for the al- ' leged prophet, and Rua himself has < shown in the past that be regards : cretiou as the better part c? m'/.T * /*ii