Kimbal Bent, The Deserter.

Thames Star, Volume IX, Issue 3059, 4 December 1878, Page 2

Kimbal Bent, The Deserter.

We (Auckland Star) have received information from Mr McComish,formerly^ band-master of the 57th Begiment, which is corroborated by Mr Short, who also served in the band. Both of thesegentlemen were well acquainted with Kitnbal Bent, who deserted to the Maoris, fought with them against the troops throughout the war, and bas lived with them ever since, though he is now anxious to secure a pardon from the Government.. He deserted in 1864 from a military post called Manawapoo, in the Wanganui district, after having been flogged for some flagrant breach of discipline. He was a recruit, of English extraction, -but had travelled in Amerioa; was between 24, and 26 years of age; stood about 5 feet 7 inches; of slight build and swarthy complexion. Bent had been repeatedly punished for acts of petty thievery and drunkenness, and at the time of his desertion was a defaulter undergoing " pack-drill.' 1 He walked- coolly out of camp with all-his accoutrements and arms, crossed the ground intervening between the camp and the Maoris ,by.; going up a gully, and was Boon lost to sight, though our. informants say that he was never to "memory dear," TU© <

credit of a distinguished corps like the 57th could never be tarnished by one black sheep in the flock, nor though ' Eirabal Bent's example was fallowed by another. There was a potato field'distant some two miles from the camp, and thither a corporal and three or four men were wont to repair each day to supplement the rations. One day a party of three men of the 57th wont out for this purpose, when they were suddenly pounced upon by a party of natives, amongst whom was the deserter Eimbal' Bent: "Two of the soldiers escaped, but the third a man named Hennessy, was taken and kept a prisoner for two or three months. When c subsequently effected his escape.he informed his comrades that Kimbal Bent had frequently endeavored to induce the Maoris lo kill him, which would have been done but for the iritdtfention of another deserter named O'Connor. Kimbal Bent lived exactly in ■ the same Maori style, having- taken a solemn oalh to abandon every remnant of European habits.' Mr doubts the truth of the report that Bent killed Col. Hassard, bat believes that officer was sho^ by a Maori whom he was in the act of pursuinfti the best shot in the regiment, having learned the trade of a, gunsmith^ This will account for some of dnellent shooting at long ranges which the Maoris sometimes made with Enfield rifles taken from parties by surprises and ambuscades. The offence for which Bent -Was undergoing punishment at the time of his desertion was that of ■ stealing from a grocer's shop, kept by a person named Menziea; „<~ h,^l'/q *J-J .