WAVERLEY.

Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 382, 14 December 1878, Page 2

WAVERLEY.

(From our own Correspondent.) December 12. The adjourned meeting relative to the Public Library was held in the Town Hall, Waverley, on Tuesday evening, when it was found that the subscriptions promised amounted to twenty-five pounds, and as this amount exceeds the sum required by the Libraries Act, it was decided to take the necessary steps to bring the Library under the Act, and a further meeting has been called for the 17th instant, when it is hoped there will be a good attendance of the public who are interested in the matter. An accident happened to a little son of Mr MoCanes on Sunday last, who broke his leg whilst at play. Dr Mussen, of Wanganui, was sent for, who attended and set the injured litnb 7 and it is 2ioped that the little fellow, who is only three years of age, will soon be well. The usual monthly reunion of the Band of Hope, came off on Monday evening last, when there was a good attendance. I am given to understand that an action is likely to be brought against a well known person of Waverley, for cruelty to animals, but as the case is likely to come before the Court, I must refrain from writing on the subject.

KIMBLE BENT.—FOURTEEN YEARS WITH THE MAORIS. Kimble Bent, deserter from the 57th Regiment, and who for nearly fourteen years has been living inland with the Maoris, was visited oh Sunday last, by an old comrade, (Mr James Rhodes) and two other Europeans, one being a representative of the Tress Bent is of medium height and bulk, inclined to be slim rather than strong looking. He has well formed features, rather prominent nose of Roman cast, which latter organ has a peculiar side-way: set. Full and shapely beard and whiskers, with'hair inclined to dark, of finish texture. Fairly intelligent looking,'quiet in demeanour, tidy in appearance, and a man who in a,good suit of clothes, would be presentable any where. Judging by appearances Bent is a man of easy and retiring disposition, rather sensitive, and without any indication of viciousness, strong passion, or boldness. On matters of ever}’ - day life ho 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 Maories, 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 whore 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. Was a confectioner by trade, but had been three years at the watchmaking. He joined the British Army, and belonged to No. 8 Company, of the 57 th Regiment, Was in India about six months, from whence be came to New Zealand, having landed at Auckland, where he stayed but one night. He was also at New Plymouth and Wanganui, at which latter place he got into disgrace, and served 2-J- years in Wellington gaol, for stealing a watch. It appears that he was in an 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, ho was forwarded to Wanganui, where he stayed one night only, and was next day scut to Manawapoa. At Manawapoa, he received twenty-live 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 slop in the army after being flogged.” The above arc the exact words used by Bent, and are a fair sample of the way he related bis story. There were continual repetitions, and the words used at times but weakly, and in some cases did not at all represent lire ideas he wished to convey, and which were only made clear by continual questioning. The Natives were at Taiporonni, a considerable distance from the soidiers’s camp at Manawapoa, and Bent having resolved to desert, deliberately walked away, having on his regimentals. He had neither gun nor ammunition. The only weapon ho carried was a long sheath knife. He had also part of a bar of soap. After leaving Manawapoa, and before reaching the Native cam]), he met a Maori, who, on being made to understand

that Bent was a dcscncr, recommended him to go back, as ho would probably be killed. Bent, however, would not go back. On reaching the Native camp (Taiporunui), 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 dt elded, for a native rushed towards him with an uplifted tomahawk to slay him. On going amongst the Natives, ho held out the knife which he carried by the lip 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 never again feel comfortable in the army. They still treated him as a spy. He stayed about two months at Taiporuinui, then went to Otapawa. On the 23rd January, the Natives had a light at Otapawa. Before the lighting commence!-!, be was sent away to the bush with the women. The Natives afterwards told him that 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 Maorics. He heard the Natives tell of their lighting, but was never near where it took place. He was told about a fight at Otoia, and had also heard of the fight at Ki To WUakamra. At the commencement of the fighting at To Ngutu-o-te-Mauu against Tiloko Warn, 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,- 1 1 did not see it. When I came back the Natives gave me in formation that they had a great fight with the Europeans. Sec it I did not. Of all the fighting I did not see ii. When, the' Europeans came to the pah at the tight, the Natives sent me into the bush, with the women. Thanks be to God , I have never lif ted up a weapon since I have been with the Natives against the Europeans. If I knew the Europeans would not interfere with mo, I would go to my own country.” The first European Bent mot with after his desertion was John O’Conner, when he was on a visit to Otoia. O’Conner, lie 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 was taken prisoner by the natives, at Manutahi. Bent happening to go to Manutahi, saw Hennessy, who was sick of the fever. The natives, who were very frightened lest they might catch the fever, had put Hennessy outside—they would not allow him in any of the whares, and but for the timely 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 the 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 18 th jßdyal Irisli r 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 anxious to regain his freedom, wrote a letter and addressed it to Mr Booth, to the effect that he would take the head off Tito Kowaru, 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, hud saw Mr Parris (then Native Coramissiondr), Mr Skinner (surveyor), and Mr Hursthouse. These were the only Europeans present at Waitara, so far as Bent knew. Bent gave a letter for Mr Parris to post to his friends in America, but never got any reply. Three 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. 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 is 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 lie bad not had any copy of a late date newspaper in his hand for thirteen and a half years. Bent has chiefly resided about fifty 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 daring the height of the hau hau fanaticism. Bent came down the river to the settlement where ho has lately been staying. Tama Tana never took part in the hau hau form of worship. It had been agreed by the visitors that nothing should be said about the scries of statements made on the authority of Bandbergeant McOomish, in the Auckland “ Star,” but after his own story had been obtained, and Bent bad been subjected to much crossquestioning, an outline of the statements were given. Bent seemed much cutup about it, and wondered bow people could tell such lies. He also pointed out mis-statements in the short account previously given in this paper, a copy of which had been forwarded. He has a vague sort of notion that lie 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 very 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 bis friends. Bentdcsircs to communicate with the American Consul, but is at a loss how to proceed, as he does not now know the customs of the outer 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 year’s 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.

On account of report in Carlyle on Friday morning that Bent was in town, our reporter inquired of the Chief Tauroa if this was correct. which it appears was not. Bent left the settlement on Tuesday last for link a Moana, in company with ether natives, but intends to return here about March next, to learn the result of his application for liberty to enter the town.