A SAD OCCURRENCE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2240, 30 September 1889, Page 3

A SAD OCCURRENCE

MAJOR JAOKBON, M.H R. DROWNED

(P*R FBBBS ASSOOIAriOBr.)

Auobxand, September 30 Daring the voyige of tbe Rotoiua from Wellington to Manukau M<j>r Jackson, M H.B. for Waipa, disappeared m the most mysterious manner, »nd there seems j to be li.tle doubt that the unfortunate gentleman fell overboard between the hours of ten o'clook on Saturday night and yesterday morning, -da jor Jackson was returning from the Parliamentary session, a passenger by tbe I'otorua At ten o'oltok he was seen by the steward •s'eepin bis oabln, and yesterday mon ing when that officer went to arouse him for breakfast he found the cabin empty. Buppoflng Major Jackson had gone on deck he took no special notice at the time, but subs quently wh»n he found tbat that gentleman did not oome to breakfast he went to his cabin again o ascertain whether he wanted anything. The cabin was empty, and the steward reported the m iter to Captain Neville, who caused a thorough search of tbe ship to be made, bnt no traoe of the missing man oould be found. It appears to be cetain tbat tbe unfortunate gentleman got up during tha night, pnt on bio clothl g : nd boots (as thoy are missing) and went on deck, and that by some aooident be fell overboard. His watch, purse and pocket book were found m h'B cabin. Nothing unusual was observed m bis manner during the voyage, and he app jared to be m good health and spirits. It is needle: sto aay that the sad •vent p*-et a gloom over tbe whole ship, When the steamer arrived m Onehuoga the melancholy news was at onoe conveyed to Major Jackson's brothor. Mr 8. Jaoksoa (Jackson and Rn*sell) and bis otber relations

[tfsjor Jackson took a prominent put In quelling tha trouble whiob aroio ♦vlth tbe North Island Natives, at tbe time tbe Kiuglte movement was originated, and he boro his full sharo of tho fighting whioh ecsued lo the Wmlkato dUtrfpt. Before the trouble commenord be was engaged m fanning at Pao.kura, bnt on the outbreak cf hostilities he offered his services ss a private volunteer, and first distinguished himself by tbe part be took In repelling an attack made by tbe natives on an unfinished redoubt on the Wslroa road. Shortly after this be made an off ir to the Government, whioh was accepted, to raise a Oompany of Forest Rangers, whose apeoial work would be to follow the rebel natives from plaoe to plaoe and dislodge tbem from tbelr strongholds io the bush. Tbe new Company, however, though it did good work, was not so snccesufol aa hid bean anticipated, and being expeneive, was disbanded by the Government after about six months service. Captain Jackson was then authorised to raise another Company nnder new conditions for special servioe, slnd during the whole of 1864 this Company* was aptive'y engaged 1 nr.d distln iplsbed thproselyts on g voral tpoaslons, paor. psrtipularly at the eiege and capture ofOrakan. For seryloes rendored on this ooosslon Captain Jackson was promoted to the rank of M«j->r. At tbe cloie of the war Maht Jackson settled dOWP ag*tn to farming life. Fubsvquently at a timo whan the i£'cg-tej Wfft fUfioQlfr!? threatening, be cook sn

ao Ive part m raining two oompanies of cavalry, of whioh he wrb oho Hen oomm»ndant, and though 'hose companies wer n.>vtr called Gp 'n for aotive service, their f ..rontio.n had tho effaot of r« storing the •jonfidenoe of the seitcis .i.d RWiig the malcontent*. At tha last genera! olection M-j.ir Jackson waa chosen to represent ibe constituency r f Walp-a lr> tbe House ■;f R^^resirnta'ive:, ftnd durlog tie preee. t Parliament !ai < coupled be position of a Goveronztrt w t ip. A full aooount of the ii crsed gen.-h rmn'o Rorvicos derlng tt<e Maori war and of those of hia oompany the Forest. Rioters, »ppe»rs m " Heroes of To* Zoa and."