IN STIRRING DAYS.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLIII, Issue 114, 12 May 1909, Page 3

IN STIRRING DAYS.

j AN INTERESTING CAREER

THE LATE COLONEL ROOKES

The death of Colonel Rookes closed a career which was brimful of stirring incidents, and which forms an interesting chapter on "The Defenders of New Zealand." First a midshipman on the China and West Indian stations, he became in turn a cadet, an ensign, a lieutenant, and _ then, m 1846 a captain. As Captain Rookes the choice fell upon him as aide-de-camp and private secretary to the several Governors of the Bahamas and Trinidad. He was repeatedly thanked by the Colonial Governments for opening up rivers for purposes of navigation and for successfully negotiating for the surrender of several British subects held in slavery by the Spanish authorities. As an Imperial officer lie had also received the thanks of the British, French and Dutch Governments for the able manner in which he had conducted the several military expeditions entrusted to him, both in the field, on the Gold Coast, and in the Moriah country- He sold out his commission to settle in New Zealand in 1858. The story of his thrilling connection with the Maori rebellion of 1860 is told in the f olloAving words:— Colonel Rookes was employed by the Colonial Government in organising the war branch (now the Defence Office), and in recognition, of the able manner in which this duty was performed the Fox Ministry placed him by their recommendation in command ot the Wangaiiui district as the deputy ot the Governor. While holding this command he raised, organised, and personally drilled seven separate troops of cavalry in the Rangitikei, Turakina and Wangaehu districts so successfully that these forces were repeatedly thanked on the field and m general orders by Generals Cameron and Waddy. The latter officer, a veteran of considerable experience in India and the Crimea, remarked ' that he considered these troopers, m physique and fearless riding, the beau ideal of what irregular cavalry should be.' Colonel Rookes, in 1865, further received the thanks of the Colonial Government of New Zealand for the successful manner in which, under that distinguished Governor and statesman, Sir George Grey, he led the colonial forces at the capture of the Wereroa pa, completely nullifying the assertion made in General Cameron s despatches, ' that it would require a large addition of Imperial troops to reduce that stronghold of the natives.' " After giving an account or the events leading up to the fall of the pa, and Colonel Rookes' connection therewith, the narrative continues: — "On the day of Major Yon Tempsky's arrival at Wanganui a large picnic party was being held at Alexander's farm, the boundary line at that moment of the contending parties, when Colonel Rookes persuaded the Major and Colonel Nixon to accompany him on a reconnoitring expedition to the enemy's country. They consequently rode away from the picnic in the direction of the Waitotara, and arriving at a gully some miles inland they dismounted to water their horses. While doing so, a mounted native appeared on the opposite'bank, and looking down upon them quickly disappeared. A short council of war was held, and they determined to make for the beach and return that way. When returning they had again to dismount to lead their horses over some rocks on the way, and Colonel Rookes, in dismounting, sprained his ankle, just as a volley was fired at them from an ambuscade amongst the high cliffs overlooking the beach, which caused Yon Tempsky and Nixon to remount and ride away. Finding that Rookes did not follow them, being unable by his sprain to remount, they returned to his assistance, and, defending themselves with their revolvers, got him, with some difficulty, . upon his horse and rode away under a heavy fire, but it was a narrow escape for all concerned. Colonel Rookes, who was one of

the bravest and most experienced officers, was superseded before the end of the war, the authorities regarding his outspoken advice on military matters as somewhat dictatorial." Mrs Rookes is a daughter of the late Dr. Bakewell, of Auckland. — N.Z. Herald.