RESIGNATION OF MAJOR JACKSON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7785, 3 November 1886, Page 6

RESIGNATION OF MAJOR JACKSON.

[BY telegraph.—-own correspondent.] Te Awamutd, Tuesday. Yesterday the Te Awamutu Cavalry corps mustered for the three days' November drill, when fifty-seven of all ranks were present. To-day there was a similar attendance, and on the men being formed in line and called to attention by Captain Rutherford, Major Jackson, the officer commanding, announced his resignation in the following address :— Officers, non-commissioned officers, and troopers. Ere this you will have heard that I tendered to the Honourable the Defence Minister the resignation of my commission as Major commanding Waikato Cavalry Volunteers, 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 whioh I have commanded so many years. Without entering into the reasons whioh 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 now be poaching on some other one's prerogative; but even so, and were the owner of that prerogative here to-day, Ido not think you would on that account and because of my subordinate position, refuse to hear what I have got to say. It was not for me to criticise the action of the Government regarding the manner or order in which promotions are made, nor as to the object of such promotions, there beiog no doubt good and efficient reasons inducing the recent changes, but I do claim it was for me to well consider in what possible position these changes might place me, and to regulate my actions accordingly. There are now before me some whom I have known for a long time, and whom it has been my good fortune to command under very trying circumstances in the field, and there are others whose acquaintance with me has been comparatively of recent date. We have had many happy meetings together, and sometimes our relations have not been so pleasant, notably when levees were being held in the orderly room. It is probable that occasionally my conduct has not been all it should have been. I am aware I have latterly neglected details in what may be called the internal economy of the corps, but Captain Rutherford and his officers 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 welfare, and anything I can ever do to further your wishes will receive 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 corps, either individually or colleotively, and thanking you for your present attention, and for past goodfellowship, and 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.

At the conclusion of the address Captain Rutherford said he had a few remarks to make. Speaking on behalf of the troop, he said that he knew there was not one man there but would join him in asking Major Jackson to reconsider his determination to resign. They all knew what the Major had done for the troop ; how active and zealous an officer he was, and they did not want to lose him ; but hoped that, although the Government had not used him well in the recent charges he might yet be induced to continue in command.

Major Jack-on said that his position would not allow him to listen to any criticisms on the action of the Government, but as far as the request went he himself oould take no further aotion until he had received a reply to letters sent by him to the Defence Minister. That correspondence had been placed in the orderly room and was open for the inspection of any of them. The prinoipal letter referred to was addressed to the Defence Minister, and dated October 27, and was as follows :—"Sir, —l have the honour to inform you that I have this day sent in, through the officer commanding the Auckland militia and volunteer district, my resignation of the commission held by me as major commanding the Waikato Cavalry Volunteers ; and, whilst expressing to you my regret that after having for so many years had command of the Waikato Cavalry Volunteers, it should be found necessary to supersede me ; still I shall be glad to hear that it was not consequent on any negleot, improper conduct, or incompetency on my part, the recent changes have been made necessary." Previous to forming fours and marohing to parade ground, Captain Rutherford called for three cheers for Major Jackson, which were heartily and lustily given. There is a general feeling not only amongst the troop but throughout the district, that in the recent changes referred to, Major Jackson has been very badly used, and that the Government is guilty of great ingratitude to an officer who has done more than any other to keep alive the spirit of volunteering over a critical period in one oil the few districts where an armed volunteer force was necessary, to say nothing of bis long service in command of the Forest Rangers, dating from the very commencement of the native war in New Zealand, when some now high in command were more or less unknown in military circles. Waikato people have not forgotten nor should the Government forget the more recent servioe of Major Jaokson and his Te Awamutu Volunteer Cavalry Troop, when at Alexandra they by a bold dash arrested the entrance of a band of armed fanatics under Mahuki, captured their leader, and disarmed his followers, averting, in all probability, what, but for the gallant conduct of the troop and the prompt and decisive action of its commander, might have led to very serious results to the district, and trouble to the Government of the colony.