Mahuki in Gaol.

Thames Star, Volume XIV, Issue 4457, 18 April 1883, Page 2

Mahuki in Gaol.

\ (FBOM OVR OWN COBBESPONKENT.) I ; :■;. :/: . Auckland, This day. 'Mahuki and his companions in the, JijEount Eden Gaol appear to have settled down to their confinement. The other Maoris obey implicitly the directions of their prophet. It was considered advisable to send to the gaol a Maori minister or clergyman? who should offer spiritual consolation to the prisoners. Mahuki and the Maoris would have nothing to do with the preacher. Mahuki said, " that when himself and his friends were liberated they would follow their own religion ao cording to the observance followed by Te Whiti and Tohu." The Eev Wallis, one of the oldest Wesleyan ministers in the cplony, next visited them, and expressed his concern for their spiritual well-being ; but they said they would have none of him; they gave him the same answer they gave to the Maori minister. Mahuki assumes an attitude of authority towards his companions, add they obey implicitly. It appears, however, that a great change -has within the last few days come over the mind of Mahuki. His character has naturally a religious bent. He has intimated tothe gdol authorities that he de.sires " to go to chapel," and has expressed his wish that the other Maoris should go likewise ; he goes to the gaol church, and they go too. The gaol authorities describe

the Maoris as extremely docile; they work with a will and need no watching, except to guard against their escape. Mahuki is popular in the gaol, and his followers appears to look up to him with homage,