KIMBLE BENT.

Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 389, 8 January 1879, Page 2

KIMBLE BENT.

Ttik Wellington Post of the 23rd December says :—“ Regarding the letter oi Ivimble Bent, the deserter to the Maoris, which was lately published, Mr George Styles, of Oliariii, Johnsonville, who served under Colonel AlacDonnell, and was present at some of the actions in which Kimble Bent took part with the Maoris, writes:—-Bent not only fought against us, but was shot in the ribs by me at Te No To Ohimana, when we were retiring. This was just after ho had shot down one of our fellows. After he ran away, Bent came to Waingongora Redoubt ono evening, turned out the guard, and left. Major Kemp, of the native contingent, says that Beat used to drill the natives, and that he occupied a chief's position.’ ” Mu reference to the above wo, may state that we believe Mr T;eorge Styles is very very much mistaken or that he has been drawing very largely on his imagination. As Air Styles was so near as to know that he shot Bviit in ribs, he might also be able to state which particular rib he hit. Air Styles being so near might have examined Air Bent with the point of his bayonet, and so made his name famous. Old soldiers resident in Carlyle,-who were present atthe engagement, don’t believe Air Styles’ statement, and give very good reasons for their disbelief. Bent was cross-ques-tioned somewhat unmercifully by our reporter at an interview on the Bth December, account of which was given in this journal, and he left under the impression that Bent was innocent of exposing himself to the fire of Europeans. Further we do not think he had so little regard for his life as to run the risk of being shot or taken prisoner by turning out the guard at Waingongora. Comrades of Bent’s resident in Pa tea County ever since the war, have repeatedly asked natives about him, and to the direct or indirect questioning the selfsame answer has always been given—That Bent never fought during the time he has been with the Maoris. The Native Chief who was the means of saving Bent’s life on his going over to the Natives was in Carlyle Inst week, and in reply to the direct question, said “ That fellow never fought.”