CAUSE OF THE TROUBLE. BROUGHTON—DONNELLY LITIGATION.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 378, 19 June 1889, Page 5

CAUSE OF THE TROUBLE. BROUGHTON— DONNELLY LITIGATION.

The lamentable occurrence l'eferred to in the above telegram has arisen out ol the long-continued dispute between the party supporting Broughton and that supporting Mrs. Donnelly with regard to the will of the old Maori chief Renata Kawepo. The position is that Kenata made a will some time before his death. This was properly signed and drawn, but; in favour of Broughfcon. When Renata was on his death -bed and almost insensible he is asserted to have made another will, on a sheet of newspaper. This was said to have been made intavourof Airini Donnelly. The matter was taken before the Supreme Court and the first decision was against Broughton, who then took it to the Court of Appeal. Here the previous decision was reversed in favour of Broughton with all costs. Broughton then went to Omahu and took possession. Donnellys party opposed him in every possible way, and t«ok the matter to the Privy Council, where it is at present, no decision having yet been given by that Court. When Broughton took possession Airini raised up natives on her side,and the squabbling has been goingoneversince. Donnelly is an Irishman, who married Airini, the daughter of Renata Kawepe. She holds high rank amongst the natives. Broughton always acted as agent for Renata. He is married to a very respectable Maori, and is himself a half-caste from the Wanganui •district. The will in favour of Broughton ■was properly attested, so that his position is a strong one. The value of the estates involved is between £60,000 and £80,000. They are very large around Omahu, and also comprise what is known as Inland Patea, at the back of the Ruahine Mountains, in the rear of Hawke's Bay. They are very valuable, as old Renata was a large owner, and worth a considerable amount. The land was mostly leased to Donnelly, John Studholme, and a company. The land is all good. It appears that since Broughton gained possession ot the estates according to the decision of the Court of Appeal, there have been two parties of Maoris. It is most probable that the present trouble has arisen through'the Maoris — having become tired of waiting for the decision of the Privy Council — attempting to test the matter beforehand by an assertive act of ownership. Broughton has been on some of his cultivated lands near Omahu, and has, no doubt, attempted to oppose the other party when the tatal shot has been fired which killed the leader of the opposite party. Omahu is a native village, about 16 miles irom INapier. All the surrounding 3and is involved in this question, and much of it has been cultivated. In the Patea country the land is all under lease. Turanga Karuaria, the native who was shot, is quite a young fellow. He is about 20 or 21 years of age. His lather was shot in Poverty Bay fighting in the British interest. It is most likely that Turanga was a posthumous child, as that word is the native name for the spot where his father was slain. There is not much danger of this leading to any native disturbance, as the Maoris are so well under control that a little tact will avert any evil consequences. It is not considered probable that Airini's party will retaliate, but that they will let the law take its course in the matter.