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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5521, 6 December 1878, Page 3

Kimball Bent, a deserter from the 57th Regiment 13 years ago, and who has ever since lived with the Maoris about 50 miles up the Patea River, and tip till Nov, 25th had not been seen by any European since he deserted, was interviewed bj a Patea resident, and said he intended to lay his case before the Government, as he Is anxious now to go back to his native country (America). Bent deserted after being flogged, and iu 1865 was believed to have shot Lieutenant-Colonel Hassard in an .engagement near Hawera, and a large reward was offered for his capture. The Maoris treat him as a slave, and say he was never allowed to carry arms. Ho has kept a diary the whole time of his absence from civilisation. Information was conveyed on Nov. 26 to tho police at Ahaxira that a miner named Thomas Bradford, otherwise “Tommy," was missed at Nelson Creek, and as a land slip has occurred at the mouth of his tunnel it was feared he was smothered. The miners set to work, while others searched the neighboring gullies. He was found dead in a' gully, with a tin dish and pick and shovel by his side. The dish was half-full of washdirt, as though ho had been prospecting. The cans© of death issupposed to have been apoplexy. The body, was very much decomposed, and it is conjectured that he had been dead about three weeks. He had promised to vote at the recent county election for Nelson Creek Riding, and not putting in an appearance fears were entertained respecting his safety. Ho worked alone, and waa well-known and respited, being an old resident,