Renata's Will Case.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 5269, 12 July 1888, Page 3

Renata's Will Case.

[SPECIAL TO DAILY TELEORAHI.]

[OWN COBRESFOJTOENI".—BY TKLEGSATn.]

Wkmingtok , , Last night. J. Hainlin continued : Havenover known Maoris to make use of the word wira in tho sonso of property. A Maori would only uso tho word in a literal sense.. Nover saw

a will like the one produced worded tlie same.

By Mr McLean : Had said that ho believed some day Renata and Airiui would make up their difference, but not sineo what took place in tho Palmcrston Court. Witness told Donnelly that he had ruined

his chance of Mrs Donnelly becoming , friends again with Renata. Witness was not in Court, but was told by several Maoris that Airiui had called Renata a taurckareka. Was not aware that Airiiii conducted Bonata's business in tho Court.

Mr 801 lto Mr McLean : Do you moan to say that Dr. Buller did not conduct Renata's business ?

Mr McLean: If I am wrongly informed, you can put mo right. Witness, continuing : Hdd never heard that Airiui had gained all her points in the Land Court, and that Renata had loft very well pleased with what sho had done. Haa always advised Donnelly not to bo always tormenting the old man, us, according to Maori custom, Bcnnta being a leading man, Airini would naturally be his Hticcossor. Never said to Lyons that things seemed to bo coming round between Airini and

lenata during a sitting of tho Taradalo

Court. On that occasion Airini was opposing Renata, so that witness could never havo mado use of such words. Never heard that Airini had ridden homo from tho Court with Renata. Harry Donnelly called on witness after Renata'e death, and told him

that he had mado a will making over his property to Airini. Witness made no answer, but Dunuelly said, "That is what you always said would bo." "Witness would swear most positively that lie never answered "Thero you are. Did I not say my words would como true ? And no they havo at last." If Hurry Donuclly says so, ho is sayinir what is not true. James Carroll, M.11.R. for the East Const, said ho knew the manners and customs of the Maoris. Had known Ronata from a child, but intimately since ISB3 or 1881.' Had conducted Renata's business in the Native Lands Court. Ronata trusted witness as a friend and companion. Tho old man always spoke to witness about Broughton in most friendly term?, culling him a boy or LuiMiti, meaning nephew. Knew of "tho making of a wifl in 18S". Reiiata referred the preparation of tho will to witness, and after consultation, determined to havo another will mado out. Witness thcti wrote out another at Ilenata's

dictation, and this was taken to Mr Goatcs' ofKee. Witness was not present at its execution at Hastings. Broughtun managed Reuata'a Maori arid European business, and was relied on by tho old man. Airini was always antagonistic to Ronata at the Native Lauds Court, asserting that she was superior to Renata. Sho said Renahi had forfeited all rights to

tho land through being a taureknreka. He was very angry at being so called, and witness had difficulty in keeping him out of tho Court to prevent a scene. Saw Mrs Donnelly before Ilenata's death. She referred to some matters in connection with the Native Lands Court, and explained how she attended to tho old mau during , his sickness. Sho said that Renata had said to her, "Now that you havo como back you are the ono." Thon she s:iid, "I think I should have been in that will." Witness then went in, and saw* tho old man, who said, " Oh, Jimmy; I havo been waiting for you a long tinia, and you, have just come. Whero is this woman?" Mrs Donnelly, who was near, said, "Here I am." JRenata then said, " Listen. Sho has told you about the arrangement wo mado while you were away. It is well. Owhaoko and all the lands are in your hands and mine. You and I have worked out all theso matters. They are in our hands. " She and her husband are to keep away nltogotlior. I will consider what is right in regard to my meeting, to which all tile tribo arc to bo invited. I want it to bo carried through properly. ■ You soo that it is. No, never mind my condition ; lam only ono. I wish thin meeting to be great, that it may lead to the passing of laws to tho Maori people." Renata mado no allusion to a will. He never said "my will to Airini." It is not true, as sworn by Airini, that Reuata wild "my will to Airiui." It is impossible such could have been said without witness knowing it.

Tho Court then adjourned