TE AWAMUTU CAVALRY. The Resignation of Major Jackson.

Waikato Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2235, 4 November 1886, Page 3

TE AWAMUTU CAVALRY. The Resignation of Major Jackson.

On Tuesday morning, after the cavalry fell in, Major Jackson who has commanded them so well for so many years formally notified them of his having tendered his resignation as Major Commanding Waikato Cavalry Volunteers. Theannouncement in the columns of The Waikato Times of Saturday that he had made up his mind to this course was received by everyone with regret, and by those who were not aware if the reasons which led up to it with surprise, but the latter feeling was not felt or expressed when those reasons became known. It has always been customary for volunteers to have a voice in tho selection ot their officers, and the appointment of another officer to the command of the regiment (into which all the troops of the North Island have been formed) without in any way consulting the members of this corps was not well received by them. This however is but one of the causes of the " general feeling of dissatisfaction so widely felt by all who are acquainted with Major Jackson and with his past services The opeu way m which he, and through him, - this corps, was slighted by promoting over his head men who have seen no service be yond routine drill and orderly room work, and who when the Major was leading his company in the field were mere boys, has aroused a strong feeling of ret-entment in in the minds of civilians as well as volunteers, for it is plain to be seen that all the actions of the Government in reference to military matters have tor their mainspring political and not patriotic motives. It is very evident Mr Ballance is anxious to stand well with the people of Wanganui, for to this motive must be attributed his reason for appointing a man from that favoured locality to the command of the regiment. He has exhibited his exce-sive partiality for that district on previ6us occasions, and his next step will be to make head quarters there. The Waiuku and Te Awamutu troops are, if not the oldest, at any rate the best and most efficient corps in New Zealand, but in «pite of this fact it is evident thay do not bask in the sunshire of ministerial favour just now. In the days when men were wanted Major Jockson raked a good body of men with whom he took tho field, and when it was advisable to have a volunteer cavalry corps in this district he soon raised a good number of well-mounted mon, capable of lendering good ser\ice to the country, and if the exigencies of the cxbe required it there is no ono who could got together a larger number of men, or onp whom the men would more gladly follow tbau he. When the Mahuki scare wa* raised he cot a message late nt night, and by daylight ne\t morning the whole of the troop were mustering to march to Alexandra, which place they reached long before it was thought possible they could arrive there. If the present European complications should end in England being involved in war, which is by no means unlikely judging by the disquieting news received daily, New Zealand will, to a certainty, have to put herself in a position of defence, and then the Government will be glad of the services of such well-tiied officers as Major Jackson. The following is the speech delivered by the major to the cavalry on Tuesday morning. . • i m "Officers, non-comnnssioncd otneers, and troopers, Ere this you willl have heard that I ha\e tendered to tho Hon. the Defence Minister the resignation of my commission as Major commanding the Waikato Cavahy Volunteer*, and I hope you will not think it a want of courtesy on my part which induced me to do so without consulting the corps I raised and whom I have commanded so many years. Without entering into the reasons which have weighed with me in the matter, I may state that it was after mature and careful consideration I took this step, and only then because there appeared no other course open to me. In all human probability this is the last time I shall address you as your commanding officer, and indeed I may even now be poaching on some other person's prerogative, but even so, and were the owner of that prerogative here to-day, I do not think on that account, and because of my subordinate position you would refuse to hear what I wish to say. It is not for me to criticise the action of the Government regarding the manner and order in which promotions are made, nor as to the object of such promotions, there, no doubt, being good and sufficient reasons inducing tbe recent changes; but I claim it was for me to consider what possible positions these changes might place me in, and to regulate my actions accordingly. There are now before me some whom I have known for a long time, and whom it hah been my good fortune to command under very trying circumstances in the field, and there are others whose acquaintance with me has been comparatively recent. We have had many happy meetings together, and sometimes our relations have not been bo pleasant, notably on those rare occasions when levees were being held in the orderly room. It is probable occasionally ray conduct ha 9 not been all it should h&\e been. lam aware I have lately neglected details, or what may be called the internal economy of the corps, but Captain Rutherford and his staff being ever present and watchful rendered any attention on my part unnecessary. Although after this my control over the corps will have ceased, yet I shall always have a great interest in your welfaie, and anything I can e\er do to further your wishes will leceive my immediate care. I have only now to request that you will acquit me of ever intentionally making my position disagreeable to members of the oorps either individually or collectively. Thanking you for your present attention and for your past good fellowship, and with a hope that you will each do all you can to keep the corps as efficient and ready for all emergencies in the future as it has been in the past, I wish you a long and happy career to come. Though I shall no longer be your commanding officer and my official connection with the corps is at an end, you will, I trust, permit me to become an honorary member." Captain Rutherford said : On behalf of the troop I would request Major Jackson to reconsider his decision to resign his command. You have commanded us for a very long time, and have never given us the slighest cause for dissatisfaction, and nothing would gi\e us so much pleasure as the knowledge that you would continue to be our commanding officer. We are well aware that the Government have not treated you fairly in the matter, and that yon are fully justified in taking the course you have, but the loss wo shall sustain by frour resignation is one we cannot repair. Turning to the hien, Captain Rutherford said] : If I have done my duty so well as captain of the troop as Major Jackson has been pleased to say, it is entirely owing to his advice and assistance that I have done SO The Major said : In my position I cannot hear the action of the Government called in question in this matter. No doubt they have done what they thought best under the circumstances. It is not for me to criticise it, but as I have already stated, no other couse was left for me than that which I have adopted. It gives ma very great pleasure to know the troop would like me to command them still, but my resignation haa already been forwarded to the Defence Minister. Three hearty cheers were then given for the major by the men. At a meeting of the troop in the afternoon QuartermasterSergeant IJ, Roche moved the following resolution, which was carried unanimously : <( That this meeting learns with regret of Major Jackson's resignation, and also the causes which prompted him to do so, and that Captain Rutherford be requested to write to the Honourable - the Defence Minister, urging him on behalf of the troop not to accept Major Jackson's resignation, he having raised the corps seventeen years ago, and commanded it ever since to the entire satisfaction of the members and the several successive Governments." The following are the communications forwarded to the commanding officer on this matter : — Auckland, October 27th, 1886. The officer commanding Auckland Militia and Volunteer District, Sir, — I have the honour to request that you will forward to the Honourable the Defence Minister this, my resignation, of the commission held by me as mijor commanding the Waikato Cavalry Volunteers. — I have the honour to be, Sir, your most obedient servant, William Jackson, Major Commanding Waikato Cavalry Volunteers. [enclosure."! Auckland, October 27th, 188 G. The Honourable the Defence Minister. Sik,— l have the honour f> inform you that I have this day, through the officer commanding' Auckland Militia and Volunteer District, forwarded my resignation of the commission held by me as major commanding Waikato Cavalry Volunteers, and whilst expressing to you my regret that, after having for su many years held. oonv

mand of the Waikato Cavalry Volunteers, it should be found necessary to supersede me, still I shall bo glad to hear that it was not consequent on any neglect, improper conduct, or incompetence on any part the recent changes have been undo neccsiiry. —I have the honour to be, Sir, your most obedient servant, Jackson, Major Commanding Waikato Cavahy Volunteers.