The Gisborne Standard AND COOK COUNTY GAZETTE. Published every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday Morning. Saturday, October 5, 1889. MAJOR JACKSON.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume III, Issue 360, 5 October 1889, Page 2

The Gisborne Standard AND COOK COUNTY GAZETTE. Published every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday Morning.

Saturday, October 5, 1889. MAJOR JACKSON.

Be just and fear not • Lflt all thp ends th mi airn’st at bo thy country’b, Thy God's, and truth’s.

There appears now to be no doubt of the death of Major Jackson, and the removal thereby of one of those men who helped the sturdy colonists of earlier days through the hardships which all had to face. For the following reference to the deceased gentleman we are indebted to the N.Z. Herald :—Major Jackson’s career as a settler and as a volunteer officer in this Provincial district has been a most distinguished one. At the com. mencement of the Waikato campaign, in 1863, Major Jackson was farming his own land near Papakura, and as he was not disposed to submit tamely to be driven from his homestead, he offered his services as a private in the volunteers. He first distinguished himself in repelling an attack made by the rebels upon a halffinished redoubt on the Wairoa Road (known afterwards as Ring’s Redoubt). After this, he offered to raise a company of Forest Rangers, consisting of experienced bushmen, who would fight the Maoris in their own fashion. The Government ascepted the offer. In December, 1863, he scoured the Hunua ranges, and surprised a party of natives 200 strong, several of the enemy being killed and wounded, the actual murderers of Mr Hamlin, Trust’s children, Cooper, Calvert, Jackson, and Mr and Mrs Fahey being among the slain. After six months’ service this corps was disbanded, and he was authorised to raise a fresh company, to be attached to the and Waikato Regiment. At Waiari, where a number of natives surprised a bathing party in the Mangapiko River, Major Jackson narrowly escaped being shot while endeavoring to bring oft a wounded man. The Maori fired his double-barrelled gun and missed him, and in his rage hurled the gun at Major Jackson, when he shot the native with his revolver. During the whole of 1864 Major Jackson and his company were actively engaged in Waikato, more particularly at the siege and capture of Orakau. He received the thanks of General Cameron, and was promoted to the rank of major. During last session of the Assembly, as member for Waipa, he succeeded in getting the claims of the Forest Rangers and the men of Colonel Nixon’s Defence Force recognised, and a promise given by Government that they should be fully investigated, and justice done to the men. For many years he had been engaged in this effort, and his persistency at last bore fruit. Major Jackson has acted as one of the Government whips for the past three sessions.