[1] After spending some years in the country he went to Launceston, and started business as merchant and importer, one of the principals of the firm of Rooke and Maddox.
[1][3] For a short period he held office as Chief Secretary from 1–29 March 1887 in James Agnew's Administration.
It is reported that he contributed materially towards brightening the debates by animated speeches, largely commingled of shrewdness, grasp of facts, and a caustic wit that had nothing spiteful about it.
He was a member of the Executive Council, a magistrate of the territory, and visiting justice of the Gaol at Launceston.
He was connected with local sporting institutions, was a steward of the Tasmanian Turf Club, and president of a number of athletic clubs He had always taken a deep interest in the volunteer movement, held the long service medal and was captain and paymaster of the Launceston Rifle Corp.[1] Rooke married twice, firstly to Maria Louisa Ferguson, in 1880, and secondly, in 1892, to his cousin Emma Rooke, daughter of Adolphus Rooke.