MAJOR ROOKES AND THE GOVERNMENT.

Evening Post, Issue 201, 29 September 1865, Page 2

MAJOR ROOKES AND THE GOVERNMENT.

It will be remembered that for some time past Major Rookes has been in the command , of the colonial troops in the Wanganui district, and at the taking of the Wereroa Pa, and on other occasions he distinguished himself, having led his men successfully through imminent dangers. Two days ago he arrived in Wellington, and since then many rumours have been circulated in the city, having reference to his connection witli the Government. Among others, it has been stated that on the arrival of Lieutenant-Colonel Gorton at Wanganui, us commandant of the troops in the district, ho refused to obey orders, and threatened to send in his resignatien, because Colonel Gorton had been appointed to the command. Fooling that his dignity had been lowered by this, lie proceeded to Wellington to seek for redress, but meetingVith unkindness from the powers that be, he sent in his resignation. Such arc the rumours afloat. There is a tissue of truth in them, but the greater portion is without foundation. We have it on authority that the story is very different to this. It seems that for some time after the talking of the Wereroa Pa heavy items of expenditure were contracted in the Wanganui district without authority, and that the Government time after time wrote to the Major, asking for an explanation why such expenditure had been negotiated, but received in reply evasive answers. Instead of appointing a board to enquire into the matter, it seems the Government resolved to send a trusty gentleman at once to Wanganui to take the command and charge of the papers. Accordingly Major Gorton was sent down, with the local rank of Lieut-Colonel At the same time Major Rookes was promoted to the same rank, but his commission was dated a day later. Under the circumstances he refused the commission, and would not acknowledge Col. Gorton as his superior officer. He then, contrary to the commands of Colonel Gorton, left the district and proceeded to We lington. On presenting himself at the office of the Defence Minister yesterday, he received orders to return at once to Wanganui and report himself to the officer in command of the district. He declined to do so. The Ministry then took the case into their consideration, and finding that he had not in any way accounted for the heavy and unauthorised expenditure already alluded to, and that he would in no way satisfy the Government in the matter, they recommended his Excellency to cancel his commi ssion. It is plain therefore that the main object of the Government in the matter was, first, to keep down the military expenditure of the country, and to account for all sums expended in military operations. Major Rookes did not furnish the explanations required, and hence the sending down of Colonel Gorton. On his arrival in the city he disobeyed orders, and hence his present position. It may be justly stated that it was contrary to etiquette to send an officer with so slight a seniority to take command over Major Rookes. But the flrsc and great duty of Government is to see that the public moneys be not squandered. We do not say that Major Rookes did so, but we do'say that he was bound in duty t& render every information to the Governrnen t ! as to the fulfilment of the trust given him.