PAGES FROM THE PAST

Taranaki Daily News, 20 May 1922, Page 9

PAGES FROM THE PAST

THE STORY OF KIMBLE BENI'. DESERTED FROM HIS REGIMENT. FOURTEEN YEARS WITH THE MAORIS.

(By

“Juvenis.”)

The interesting story of Kimble Bent weaken rOm news P a P er clippings of

Kimble Bent, deserted from the 57th Regiment, and who for nearly fourteen years has been living inland with the Maoris, was visited on Sunday last by an old comrade (Mr. James Rhodes) and two other Europeans, one being a representative of the Press. Bent is of medium height and bulk, inclined to be slim rather than stronglooking. He has well-formed features, rather prominent nose of Roman cast, which latter organ has a peculiar sideway set; full and shapely beard and whiskers, with hair inclined to be dark, of fine texture. Fairly intelligent looking, quiet in demeanour, tAy in appearance, and a man who, in a good suit of clothes, would be presentable anywhere. Judging by appearances, Bent is a man of easy and retiring disposition, rather sensitive, and without any indication of vieiousnesa, strong passion, or boldness On matters of every-day life he chats freely, and replies readily to questions, but with facial expression after the manner of Maoris. It was only when asked to give an account of his life amongst the Maoris, or to state the most prominent events, that the result of his long banishment from civilised life became noticeable. He seemed willing and anxious to accede to the request, but had no idea of how or where to commence, and could not find suitable words to convey his meaning. He talks Maori like a Native, and has a tendency when short of' .English to fill in with Maori. He said he was a native of Eastford, in the State of Maine, America. He was a confectioner by trade, but had been three years at the watchmaking, He joined the British Army, and belonged to No. S Company of the 57th Regiment. He was in India about six months, from whence he came to New Zealand, having landed at Auckland, where he stayed one night. He was also at New Plymouth and Wanganui, at which latter place he got into disgrace, and served 2A years in Wellington gaol for stealing a watch. It appears that he was in a hotel partly drunk, and a sergeant, also tipsy, having his watch loose in a side pocket, with the chain hanging outwards, Bent lifted it, pawned the watch, spent the money in drink, and was sent to gaol for the offence. On being released from prison, he was forwarded to Wanganui, where

he stayed one night only, and was next day sent to Manawapoa. At Manawapoa he received twenty-five lashes for refusing to carry firewood. This appears to have chafed him very much, and he said: “Then I thought in my own mind to run away and leave the soldiers. I thought I might at that present time just as well be with the Natives as with the Europeans. I could not find it proper to stop in the army after being flogged.” The abovi are the exact words used by Bent, and are a fair sample of the way he related his story. There were continual repetitions, and the words used ax times but weakly, and in some cases did not at all represent the ideas he wished to convey, and which were only made clear by continual questioning.

The Natives were at Taiporonui, a considerable distance from the soldiers’ camp at Manawapoa, and Bent having resolveck,to desert, deliberately walked away, having on his regimentals. He had neither gun nor ammunition. The only weapon he carried was a long sheathknife. He had also part of a bar of soap. After leaving Manawapoa, and before reaching the Native camp, he met a Maori, who, on being made to understand that Bent was a deserter, recommended him to go back, as he would probably be killed. Bent, however, would not go back. On reaching the Native camp (Taiporonui), where his presence caused some commotion, he entered a whare in which about twenty Natives were assembled, and it appeared as if’ his fate would be quickly decided, for a Native rushed towards him with an up-

lifted tomahawk to slay him. On going amongst the natives, he held out the knife, which he carried by the tip of the blade, and it was taken by a chief named Tito. This chief interfered, and by placing his hand on Bent’s head, kind of tabooed him, and saved his life. For a long time the Natives looked upon Bent with great suspicion, believing him to be a spy, as, indeed, they did all Europeans who at that time got among them. He explained over and over again why he had left his regiment, and that, through having been flogged, he could nevtfr again feel comfortable in the army. They still treated him as a spy. He stayed about two months at Taiporonui, then went to Otapawa. On January 23 the Natives had a fight at Otapawa. Before the fighting commenced he was sent away to the bush with the women. The Natives afterwards told him they had a great fight with the Pakehas, that they had killed a great many, but did not know how many. They put down their own loss at seven killed. After this he removed further into the bush, where he built a whare, and worked about the plantations the same as the Maoris. He heard the Natives tell of the fighting, but was never near when it took place. He was told about a fight at Otoia, and had also heard of the fight at Ki Te Whakamara. At the commencement of the fighting at Te Ngutu-o-te-Manu against Titokowaru, Bent was sent into the bush with the women as on previous occasions. Being very much pressed on this point by his interrogator, Bent, with considerable show of feeling, said: “I did not see it. When I came back the Natives gave me inforjnation that they had a great fight with the Europeans. See it I did not. When the Europeans came to the pah at the fight, the Natives sent me into the bush, with the women. Thanks be to God, I have never lifte<l up a weapon since I have been with the Natives against the Europeans. If I knew the Europeans would not interfere with me, I would go to my own country.”

The first European Bent met with after his desertion was John O’Connor, when he was on a visit to Otoia. O’Connor, he believed, was the first European who had gone over to the Natives, which was a few months previous to Bent’s desertion, and from the same regiment. After Bent had been with the Natives about three months, John Hennessy w r as taken prisoner by the Natives, at Manutahi. Bent happening to go to Manutahi, saw Hennessy, who was sick of the iever. The Natives, who were

frightened lest they might catch the fever, had put Hennessy outside—they would not allow him in any of the whares —and but for visit of Bent, Hennessy would have died. Bent, with a couple of blankets, erected a sort of tent commonly known as a mimi, and having ascertained somewhat of the properties of Native herbs, made up seven bottles of medicine, which he administered during his stay, which was only for three nights, and left the remainder with Hennessy. Hennessy, who was delirious, appeared frightened of Bent. After Hennessy got well he went to where Bent was residing for the purpose of seeing him. He stayed only one night, and seemed very strange in his manner and talk, as if deranged. Bent never saw Hennessy afterwards, but had been since told by th e Natives that after staying about eighteen months he made his escape. The Native who took Hennessy prisoner was named Ko Huwerowa, and as Hennessy did not go willingly. his captor threatened to kill him, whereupon the two had a severe tussle, or in Bent’s own words, “they had a great fight together.” Hennessy, finding himself overpowered, begged for his life and said he would go quietly along. James Kane, a deserter from the 18th Royal Irish, from Wanganui, was also seen by Bent. This was a long time after Bent had been with the Natives. It appears that Kane, being very anxibus to obtain his freedom, wrote a letter and addressed it to Mr. Booth, to the effect that he would take the head off Titokowaru and carry it amongst the Europeans, if they would give him his liberty. The letter was picked up by a Native, and its contents read over to the Maoris, who immediately put Kane to death. Bent was at Waitara when the land was sold, and saw Mr. Parris (then Native Commissioner), Mr. Skinner (surveyor), and Mr. Hursthouse. These were the only Europeans present at Waitara, so far as Bent knew. Bent gave a letter to Mr. Parris to post to his friends

in America, but never got any reply. Thtee other letters have been written by him, but having to trust Natives to post them, and being unable to get postage stamps, does not know if they were sent. He never had any replies. The Europeans mentioned are about all Bent has seen since his desertion, until three weeks ago, when he was interviewed by Mr. Williams and another Patea resident, at a Native settlement about two miles from Carlyle. His life amongst the Maoris appears to have been painfully monotonous and uneventful. He has kept a few notes of the chief occurrences, but the life was too eventless to be worth record. Almost directly on going to the Maoris, Bent took an interest in the herbs- used for medicinal purposes, and is now deemed an authority. He has also become well acquainted with the traditions of the Natives, matters about which the rising generation of Natives trouble themselves but little, and know scarcely anything. He appears to have no sort of notion of the lapse of time or of the order of events, and but little idea of distances. The notes referred to are at his usual place of residence. Had he expected to meet with Europeans, he would probably have brought his notes with him, when a more detailed and orderly statement could have been made. His mind gs a perfect blank as to the stirring events, which have taken place in the world during the time of his seclusion. He has, on a few occasions only, met with scraps of newspapers, but until Sunday week ho had not had any copy of a late date newspaper in his hand for thirteen and a half years. ,

Bent has chiefly resided about ,50 miles up the Patea River, at a place called Ruku Moana, with a chief named Tama Tana, for whom he appears to have the highest respect and even affection, judging by the warmth with which he descanted on the good qualities of the aged chief. Tama Tana was formerly the most powerful chief in these parts, and still carries great weight in council. Tama Tana is, and always has been, strongly opposed to the sale of Native lands. This chief has never in his life tasted intoxicating liquor, and has a strong religious bias, and is a regular reader of a copy of the Bible, which he always carries about with him. Once during the height of the Hauhau fanaticism, Bent came down the river to the settlement where he has lately been staying. Tama Tana never took part

in the Hauhau form of worship. It had been agreed by the visitors that nothing should be said about the series of statements made on the authority of Band-Sergeant McComish, in the Auckland Star, hut after his own story had been obtained, and Bent had been subjected to much cross-questioning, an outline of the statements were given. Bent seemed much cut up about it, nd wondered how people could tell such lies. He also pointed out mis-state-ments in the short account previously given in the paper from which this extract was made, a copy of which had been forwarded. He has a vague sort of notion that he is despised and hated by the Europeans for having stayed so long with the Natives, and expressed himself as afraid to go amongst the white people, lest they should do him harm. For some years past the Maoris have treated him verjt well, and, though they would not now like him to leave them, they would not object if they thought he would be safe and could go to his own country to his friends. Bent desires to communicate with the American Consul, but is at a loss how to proceed, as he does not know the customs of the duter world. Although so near to Carlyle, he has not seen it, and until assured of safety does not seem inclined to leave his present friends. He thinks fourteen years’ seclusion from the world sufficient punishment for the only offence committed by him—that of desertion in front of the enemy, the punishment for which is death. (| <t