Major Jackson, M.H.R.

The news of Major Jackson's disappearance from the s.s. Rotorua, while on her voyage from New Plymouth to Onehiinga, has been received on every hand with surprise and regret; The Major was returning from his Parliamentary duties, and embarked on the Kotorua at 6.30. p.m. on Sunday, September the 29th. He took tea in the saloon w/th the rest of the passengers and appeared in excellent health and spirits. At ten o'clock the bed-room steward visited Major Jackson's bunk for the purpose of seeing that the port holes were properly screwed-down, but finding the Major asleep did not disturb him. This was the last sign of the unfortunate gentleman. Next morning the bed-room steward visited Major Jackson's bunk to get his boots for cleaning, but found that the Major and clothes and boots.had gone. Surmising that he was on deck, he thought no more about the matter. Two or three hours afterwards the Major was missed by the steward, who instituted a thorough search of the vessel. No trace was found of the missing man, and the presumption is that Major Jackson, feeling ill during the night, got up and went to the side of the vessel; and that the sea being lumpy the vessel made a sudden lurch and he lost his balance and fell overboard. No other feasible explanation can be given of the lamentable occurrence, and the nature of the Major's death must ever remain a mystery. Major William Jackson, M.H.R. for Waipa, was a native of Yorkshire, England, and left for Australia about 1857 at the gold' rush. After a short residence there, he came over to New Zealand to join his two brothers, who had just then settled in Auckland— Mr Samuel Jackson, solicitor, and Captain Jackson, now B.M. The Major settled first at Mangatawhiri, afterwards Kangiaohia, and latterly at Kihikthi. The Maori war breaking out shortly after his arrival and he being a high-spirited and brave man, he offered his services to the Government. His offer to raise a corps of Forest Bangers was accepted, and he scon distinguished himself for his personal bravery and fearlessness. Major Jackson was largely interested in land settlement matters, and has also taken great interest in all agricultural and political topics. In another part of this issue will be found a portrait of Major Jackson.