RENATA KAWEPO'S WILL

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1829, 30 April 1888, Page 3

RENATA KAWEPO'S WILL

(" Waoganui Herald.")

This extraordinary cam (Kenata Kawep ) haß left property and J»ni amuunttng, it is said to a quarter cf a million, and the question of questions niw on the Hawku'a Bay side is, who benefits? It was gonerully understood that a young h klf-cxete named Broughton, oloaely related to the late chief, was the principal beneficiary and heir. Rinata had repeatedly expressed his inteation of leaving his property to Broughton, and it wa* known that he had made a will In hia favor two years a^o. Renata kept a Btrong-room or safe ia whtoh this will and other valuahhs were deposited. Wnen he died the key, it seems waa missing, but it turned up m a way which the Btquel explains. Mure closely still related to Reuata was tt chleftaineaa of even higher rank than himself, Airlnl, the wife of a well-known Hawke'a B*y settler, Mr Donnelly, Airini and Kenata, however, were not often the beat fripads, and when Renata was vexed he vowed he would cat her off with a Bhltling. Occasionally he relented, and when one of Mrs Donnelly's children died, Renata went to hia strongroom, took a thousand bright sovereigns therefrom, and -sent them to his nleoe. Renata, ie wilt be seen, had a prinoely spirit tod a royal way of doing things. Bat even a bereavement whloh touched him to the quick only re-established cordial relations for a time, R nala was not en speaking terms with Airlnla month or two later, Ie was said that certain |pereons were active m making mlfchief between them rknata's illness. Renata fell ill, and feeling it would be hia last, he sent for Airini and requested her to stay with him and nurse him. Now this lady is aa noted for her intelligence and high spirit, and Bhe did not Bpare herself m providing for the old man's comfort and happlneaain his list lllneas. He was happy, as ho expressed it, m being good friends with Airlnl before he was gathered tv his fathers, for was Bhe cot the prlnoipal representative by blood of tho family ? He repented himself that he had mado a will whloh dealt with her unjußtly, and he reao'ved to make another ; accordingly he requested a solicitor to be set for, and a few days before h!a death lie a'.^nod tho second will (which revoked tho first of course) leaving th.^ whole of bis property to Airini, her brothers, aiders and children. ■- APIICR THE FONEIUL Af!or tho fui;eral the Solicitor for Airlnl, Mr McLeao, appeared at a pro re nata mooting of tho departed chief's relatives and friends, and explained about the two wills, the second of which waa ho said, m bia etrong room ia Napier. He was authorised by Alriui to make a very prudent spaeoh to the following effoot : — v Airlnl wishes me to say that for those who were friends of Renata during his lifo, Bbo desires to have the greatest friendship. Those, she cotialders, were very Bolioitous m carrying out tho wishes of Renata during his llfo-time. Now that Renata is dead, and has left behind ■ him a document clearly expressing his wishes, she expects that those friends will ' be equally desirous of carrying out those wishes. If Airlnl finds those persons dofirous of carrying cut the wishes of the dead, Bhe will be their friend, and they will find she ban inherited from Ronata '. the traditions of his benevolence. Bat if they derlto to g~> against the fliahos of Renata, now that he is dead and not able to speak for hlmsjlf, Airini is able to fight, and be asßtrong m baitlc, a* Renata waa." Thuojdidea never composed a more eloquent opeech for his heroes. THB MISSING KS.Y. The key of the Bafo was given to Airini a short time before Renat'i's death, but she h<id somehow mislaid lr, and it was mlesing. The possession of this key had - causad disputes and ironbles, for it aafoguarded, it was thought, tha prlo.'lt'ss document which was to hand over property worth a quarter of a million sterling, , So Airlnl'a solicitor nnde a proposal: (hat the key be handed over to ftenita's binker to keep until all matters ia dispute wero settled. " "i he banker," said Airiai's representative, " is tha Bank of New South Wales, and the manager la here preßont and ready to tike possession of the key.' Mr Oarrol), M.H.R., who represented tha othfr sldo, replied to the " fair proposal" that Renata'a lawyer agreed to the key being handed over . to the banker — "it shall be given op ' to-morrow" he said, "it is not here now." Airlnk's solicitor then said ; "You agree It shall be given up to- ' morrow — m tha meantime the police shall ( remain m cha ge of the strong room " The conversation was at once sealed by Henare Tomoaun, on behalf of the Native Oommittee, intimating that " the course suggested wou'd racot witti the approval of tho Committee" Tho '"plan of oninpalgn " so far with respect to the two wills is outlined In the rketch wo have given of tha proceedings of this intoreßtIng meeting. Airini, aa the bonefiolary of the last will and testament, ia doubtless m legal possession, and ''holds the fort," from wbioh Bhe wIH have to be diskdged, if there ia any ground (and we have heard of none) for action of a hostile nature, Moral — do not put your I trust m wills until you are cure the teetator is dead and you are In possession of his last signature.