TAMIHANA’S CURE.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 August 1921, Page 8

TAMIHANA’S CURE.

A PvATANA MIRACLE. ACUTE RHEUMATISM BANISHED IN ONE NIGHT. Masterton, August 13. “Last Sunday 1 cannot lift spoon or cup. I cannot feed or dress myself. Now I can walk about, dress myself and feed myself without help.” That was what Ngarori Tamihana—the Lansdowne native who was cured by Rutana last Sunday night—said to a Dominion representative yesterday afternoon.. The reporter was by no means the first visitor, Tamihana has received lately, for during the past week many people from all parts of the district have gone to offer their congratulations, and to obtain ocular proof of the wonderful powers of the faith healer. Tamihana—popularly known as Rody Thompson—was sitting by the fire when the pressman called and looked particularly healthy, though, he said, he still felt a little stiff. He lives with, and is cared for by, grandchildren.

Tamihana related how he had suffered from acute rheumatism and painful internal complaints for the/past 25 years. Prior to last Sunday, he said, he riad been laid up for two months. His legs were bent double at the knees, and he could not straighten them. He could not extend his right arm, and his hand was twisted palm, outwards, and was useless. “Now I can move it any way,” said Tamihana, with a smile, as he bent his arm and manipulated his fingers. He also told his visitor of internal pains brought on by organic troubles, and of his previous inability to move his head to right or left, up or down. “Now, - ’ he said, “my joints are still little bit stiff, but I can walk about. I feel better every day, and might go to the football match to-morrow if the weather is good.” Questioned as to how he came to visit Raiana, Tamihana said that people came to him and asked him to go over to the faith healer at Te Oro Ore. He told them he could not go, because there was no one to lift him into a motor-car. Later on. however, he was carried tq a ear by four men and taken to the. pa. There he was carried into the meetinghouse and placed on a chair. It was snowing outside and very cold, and he began to shiver violently. When Katana saw Tamihana he went over immediately, taking a chair with him. This he.placed just in front of the. sufferer, and, sitting down, asked in Maori,. “What is the matter with you?” “I told him straight,” related Tamihana, “that my forefathers and parents —all rubbish, too much sin. I suffer because of their sins and my own what I had done.” i “And what are you going to do with j all these tohungas and gods among your •forefathers?” continued Ratana. “I hand them over to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost and Holy Angels, and I want them to bo. burnt to ashes,” was the reply. “You will be cured in the name of I the Father, the Son. .and the Holy Ghost and Holy Angels,” said Ratana. “Pray to them, not to me: think of nothing else but the Almighty. It is not iny pov, er, for 1 am only a messenger.” Tamihana was then taken to bM and urrappetl in blankets. He was told ho would feel warmer and better in two hours. At the end of this period .one of the secretaries came over and asked him how he felt. 'Tin feeling all right,” said Tamihana. Ro was so warm that he asked them to move hack the ; blankets. Next morning he got up, dressed, and was led to the door without using crutches—the first time for years. When Ratana saw him come through the door,, be called out. “Come here, old man, and sit by me. How are you now?" On Tamihana telling him t hat he "was much better, Ratana said. “In time to come you will use your feet and legs and hind, but don’t forget to pray, to God. Never forget Rim for one moment.” Then looking towards Tamihana’s crutches resting against the wall, he coni’tinued: “Will you let me have those? I Because if I let you take them you will put them in your room and look at them. Then you will begin to feel sorry for them, and you will use .thorn again. In exchange lake my walking-stick—-one. I have used myself for years.” Ratana then told the people to make way for Tamihana. who must be taught /to walk again “like a little child.” Using R a tana’s stick, Tamihana walked round the front of the meeting-house, and the other Maoris were so delighted that they clapped and laughed. “You are all right,” said Ratana. af- . terwards. “If >t was not for the snow . and rough roads I would walk home . with you to Lansdowne. But never. J mind, you go home in the car.’.' »| “Did you believe Ratana could cure .'you before you went to him?” Tami- . ! liana was asked. > “Well, .: only half-believe then,” he said, “but I believe now.”