ESCAPE OF CORNET SMITH.

Marlborough Express, Volume IV, Issue 183, 10 July 1869, Page 5

ESCAPE OF CORNET SMITH.

Cornet Smith, who commanded the Bay of Plenty Volunteers, has at lust reached Fort Galatea, after undergoing almost unheard of dangers and privations, during ten days of most inclement weather. He escaped with four others, from the fate of his companions, and was trying to make his way to Colonel St. John, at Tapueharuru, when he w'as discovered by three natives at some distance from Opepe, and tied with flax to a tree, after they had stripped him of the greater part of his clothing. In this miserable pos't'on ho remained for four days, when the swelling in his hands having subsided, and the flax becoming softened with heavy rain, he managed to extricate one hand, and then released himself. Starting for Fort Galatea, he had to subsist, in that desolate country, almost entirely on grass. At the Herewiwi pa he found the skins of a few potatoes which had been roasted in the ashes. Nobody was there, and he proceeded on his journey. At the last crossing of the llangatikei, he was discovered by some of the enemy’s scouts, just about dark, and plunged into the river and swam across. The stieam is here very rapid, and his cap was floated off his he id. Ho reached the bank, and scrambled into some long raupo, where he lay hid for some time. The enemy, seeing the cap floating down the river, fired at it. His arrival at Fort Galatea was most miraculous, and he was warmly welcomed by his companions in arms there as one for whose safety all hope had been given up. Cornet brnith is an Opotiki settler,and has a wife and family. Mrs. Smith had never despaired of him. It is gratifying to he able to state that, although extremely reduced, he is doing well and likely to recover. —H. B. Herald.