THE LATE MRS. DONNELLY.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 11871, 8 June 1909, Page 2

THE LATE MRS. DONNELLY.

'MOMENTOUS EVENT IN HISTORY OF MAORI PEOPLE."

(Special to Heraldv) NAPIER, this clay. The death of Mw «. P. Donnelly, after a long and very painful illness endured witu the utmost patience and fortitude removed a. notable figure from our midst. Notwithstanding that the conditions which now obtain have taken away to a large extent the power and mana; of the Maori chieftains, the deceased lady was one who never failed to recognise what her rank among her rieople entailed upon her as a duty, and what she regarded as & privilege., to guard their interests to the fullest extent of her power and influence, m doing all that she could for their wellbeiitg. She was held m the deepest affection and respect by. her people, and their loss is «ne that it is dinicult to overestimate. Mrs Donnelly, who was 54 years of age, was the daughter of Karauria and Haremi te Ata. It will be remembered by the older residents of Hawke's Bay that Karauria, at the head of 300 of his men, went to Tauranga m pursuit of Te Kooti immediately on the news of the Poverty Bay massacre reaching Napier. • Arini was adopted by Renata Kawepo, and brought xip by him. In 1877 she -was married to Mr George Prior Donnelly, the well known runholder, and leaves one daughter surviving her, Mrs F. C. Perry, and three grandchildren. Her consistent and persistent defence of their rights m our Courts for , the last 25 or 30. years have been noble, and her brilliant advocacy and extensive knowledge of the history and lore of the tribe has been unrivalled by professional counsel, and on. many occasions been the means of wresting" from the hands of exploiting and un-. scrupulous ; antagonists the laurels of victory. One of many illustrations may be cited. A Native Land Court was sitting m the Rangitikei district, when" word came that the case was going against her pe6ple. ' Renata "was ill, and r could riot attend. Suddenly she 'announced that she would go and represent her uncle, herself, and people. At first her determination to go was opposed, she being quite a young girl and unaccustomed t6 Court procedure. Site, however^ with the fighting instincts of her race, was adamant, and , ultimately set dut f6r the "seat of war" with Renata's consent.; On her Teaching the Court the case was practically, over, and the -judgment about to be delivered m the favor of her i opponents; She claimed to \be heard. The Court demurred, and counsel objected, /but she persisted, and insisted on her right to speak for anil represent herself and her absejit people. Courage won the day, and after eight or ten hours' of argument nnd history worthy of Portia, a .judgment was re-, corded, recognising the substantial claims of Renata, Airini, and those associated witli them. Her people by her efforts were made some of the landed proprietors m the island, and if they liad followed her example and advice would be so to-day, as she was a nonKeller* v Nevertheless many can still thank their chieftainess for their affluence and independence at the. present moment. Mrs Donnelly 'r lavish- hospitality at her home, at 'the various kaiangas of her* people, on any occasion of importance, whether to entertain European or Maori visitors, or to catfry out the sa-cred' rites of the tangi, were dignified expositions of the duties of v Maori chieftainess. Again, on the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Vbrk" Mrs' Donhelly was a conspicuous' figure among those to welcome and entertain them, and subsequently, when visiting KngJ^ind, •. had the honor of. having .. her rank arid position m Maoriland royally recognised by their Mujestie& the King and Queen the Prince and Princess of Wales, and other English nobles. ; A, big tangi is pi"oce«ling at Oniahu, and the funeral will take place on Wednesday, ■-.■•'.,.> (Per Press Association.) NAPIER, last night. Mr 6. P. Donnelly, /Airs Perry, and the relatives of the late, Mrs Donnelly are receiving a. • large number of mes>'sages of condolence. His Eixcellericy thoi Governor tele{jriiphed: as follows : "In Mrs Donnelly's death ' the Maori people have lost' a noble example of a wi«^. and true friend. I desire to offer to you and to the members of her tribe my ' respectful sym}Mithy." /

The. following telegram was received from the- Prime Minister : "Lady Ward and I have read, with deepest regret' m the 'Times' this morning of the death of your dear' wife, and we tender to you our sincere sympathy m what we know to be an irreparable loss. , All whose pleasure it. avus to be .acquainted with Mrs Donnelly realised that she was a lady m ev,pry sense of the word. Apart from the great loss to yourself anti family,, the members of her own race have lost a. good and kind friend. My regret is that at present I camiot, on account of public^ engagements, come up to show yon and, your family my respects personally." ■ . The Hon. James Carroll, Native Minister, m the course of his message to Mr 'Donnelly, said : "Arihi's death is not only a great blow to" yourself and Mrs Perry, 'but [ a momentous event m the hUtory of the Maori people. As the representative of a noble line and ancestry, she has maintained, its highest traditions." Mr. Carroll 'also bore testimony to ,the deceased's efforts, on behalf of the Maori people; and to her energy ancl public spiritedness. ,_ : , V HASTINGS, this day. The funeral of Mta. Donnelly will take place on Thursday afternoon at Omahu cemetery. The remains -were removed to Omahu pa yesterday, where Natives are collecting from all parts/ The tongi Will be one of the most memorable, ever held. Mir Donnelly has received hundreds of condolences. The Native Minister wired as follows : "At this hour, old friend, I .feel for you deeply. Though not unexpected and. a happy release to' her from great suffering, borne so long with such fortitude/ Anni's death is not only v great blow to yourself and; Mrs Perry, but is a momentous event m the liiistory^ of the Maori people.' Reptesfentative, of a noble line ana , ancestry, she ha« maintained' their highest traditions, fcndowsd with, great intelligence and the fighting blood of her fotbears, she was ever m the lists when the rights of her people were menaced, ; 'and m, Jegal battles that' she was tuiffrtunAte . to have to take part m, the combined mastery and skill, with a thorough knowledge of Jthe facts and rights, of ■ her claim, so gained her victofcMfe.'ltli&i felt, to fevc (ji; her sex. To her f<jw&sight and unswerX*ing loyalty many or her people ow^b their prosperity, to-day.. :.|n addi^ix t^ aremarkablo peTsoiiali^y; her pubiieabh*itedness andi energy have Jcept ;her always m the , front rank! , p'f pyog^ess; m this Dominion^ and^hfcj|ied towards .o, '•truer appreciation of Mtoori citizenship iin<l Maori aspimtionk , Such. ,^jmett|fts, Ai'ini can be ill^pared 1 m any. community, but I itrust ( the general, expression of «jrm--pathy that mil be extended to y^anjl yours will materially bejp 1 1&. aoft^a; the touch of sorrow 1 iii; regapd to "tbbseUlaift behindL She played!, her^ parti faithfully and well, and afte>Va, strenuous and useful life, Teaps long eieep that comes '^Q' 1 all." -. ■•■ ■!. '■' ' _■ ■■■. ; - ■:<*/.;