MAJOR JACKSON, M.H.R., REPORTED DROWNED.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 2687, 1 October 1889, Page 2

MAJOR JACKSON, M.H.R., REPORTED DROWNED.

During the voyage of the lintorua, from Wellington to the Manukau, Major ;iclcson, M.H.R. for Wai]>:», disappeared in the most mystcriwus manner, and there seems to be little doubt that the unfortunate gentleman fell overboard between the hours of ten o'clock 011 Saturday night and Sunday morning. At 10 o'clock he was seen by the steward asleep in his cabin, and Sunday morning when that gentleman did not come to breakfast, the steward went to his cabin to ascertain whether he wanted anything. The cabin was empty, and the steward reported the matter to Captain Neville, who caused a thorough smirch of the ship to be made, but no trace of the missing man could be found. It appears to bo certain that the unfortunate gentleman got up during the night, put on his clothing and boots (as they were missing) and went on deck, and that by some accident he fell overboard. His watch, purse, and pocket-book were found in his cabin. Nothing unusual was observed in his manner during the voyage, and he appeared to be in good health and spirits. When the steamer armed 111 Ouehunga the melancholy news was at once conveyed to Major Jackson's brother, (Jackson and Russell) and his other relations.

TbY TKLBGKAI'H. — OWN COItISKSI'ONDUNTI. Auci<i,a ni ), Mii m I ay. Major Jackson left Wellington by train, early last week, for Taranaki, lie spent three or four days in and about New Plymouth before taking passage for Matiukait, by the Hotorua. Mr Warick Weston, of the "Taranaki Herald," who was one of the passengers from New Plymouth, by the steamer, states that he met Major •Jackson several times in New Plymouth laso week, dining the deceased gentleman's stay there, and lie appeared, as far as Weston could judge, to be in his usual good spirits and health. On Saturday, the last day before he left Taranaki, the Major drove out to Waitara from town in a buggy for a quiet drive, and a little incident which >c;:urred there may be n-.ted as eharac:niistic of the man, and as one of Ins last tind deeds. On his return j>invy from iVaifcara ho overtook a poor oM woman nidging wearily along to New P.ymouth, vidently tired out; the Majorimmediatcly topped, and told the woman to get into the mggy beside hiir, and conveyed 11 r* her use into town a slight incident, no d..ubt, nit one showing that the man was mindful f the burden of others. After enjoying Ills tiv in Noiv Plymouth,and renewing his ac[uaintance with numbers ofold time friends n town, Major Jackson embarked 011 the tiitorua for Manukan. lie appeared at lie time to be in his usual healtii, and 10k t.ia in the saloon with the re>t of the Msscngeis, and was 011 deck during a porion of" the evening, which wh< line and injovable, and afterwards put in some idio in the smoking-room, although h" was 1 non-smoker. At 7.1)0 the Major was ying dozing in the smoking-room, where the :t :waid obtained his nassengei tiekit from lim. At 10 o'clock Robert Ken, bedroom Reward, went to his bunk for the purpose if sseiog that the cabin I'Orth ile wa-;_pro-

jerly serowtsd down, but linding the Major yin*; in 11 is bt j rt'n asleep, he di 1 not disturb iiin." That w,w the last -sitrn ever seen of ,he unfortunat i geutl"oiau. Next morning it six o'clock the bedroom steward went ouud t') h:s Iniiik ti obtain his boots for iletanirift mid bring him fmiie refreshnents. He found tlio berth empty, the VLajor and his clothes and bouts gone. Vt the tune he thought not'iing further it the m it'i'.r, believing Major Jackson had Ircsst'd and gone on deck. A couple or hree hours later the Major was by lie steward, and a thorough search of the hip was made, but no trace of the missing nan was obtained. The officers and crew m duty through tho night stated to ].)*3tecive Chrystal, at Onehnnga, this morning hat they had not seen any sign of the Major or any of the passengers on deck luring the night since ten o'clock tho irevious evening. The presumption is that ilajor Jackson got up during the night, ee'.ing ill, and made his way to the side of he vessel and that, the sea being rather umpy, the steamer may have made a urch and he lost his balance and fell iverboard in the darkness. At any rate no itlier feasible explanation of the lamentable iccurence can be given, and the nature of lis death must ever remain a. deep mystery, n his cabin at (J o'clock this morning the Seward found his travelling bag lying open •id his gold watch and railway pass lying i :ar the bunk, with his pocket book and I'irso containing a sum of money. Major r.ioksou had not, so far as his friends are wu' ', any serious mental trouble or disres< T't dy. Major Jackson was a native if S".n i:s!iire, and was upwards of sixty 'Oarsiif age. lie was educated at Urainmry C"l'«gn. Yorkshire, and several of his >ld college in ites are in Now Zealand. He eft the "d Country for Australia about ,'ie year IS.ij at tho gold rush. Aftey a V>i t sojourn there ho came over to New 'aland'll join his two brothers who had iisi. Thou settled in Auckland, Mr Samuel I,on, solicitor and Captain Jackson now i.M. .settled at Mangatawhiri, Waikato. I'iie remaining brother is 13r Hughlengs I ickson, of Manchester Square, London, Jackson leaves a wilo but no cbilIrmi. The news o{ his sad end was teleTaplied to Mrs Jackson at Kihikihi yesteri iy. The Major leaves also other relatives in .Vaikato, including his wife's the jonga of ltangiaohia, and Mandenos of L'e Awnmutu. Major .Jackson was in a irosperous financial condition at the time if his doath and leaves his widow well provided for.