AN INVERCARGILL SENSATION.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 850, 15 June 1888, Page 31

AN INVERCARGILL SENSATION.

(per press association.! Invercargill, June 12.

A great esDsnitioh is caused by the publication of letters foam Mr .Joseph Hatch, late member for the town and Yfrell known from his connection with the seal fisheries, to Mr Z. F. Drew, master of the schooner Awarua, which rescued the Derry Castle survivors from the Auckland Isles. Mr Drew, it will be remembered, was committed to prison for six months in default of payment of a fine for sealing at the Auckland Islands in the close seasofi, and has just been liberated on a petition of the citizens. Last week he su6d Mr Hatch for the balance of amount alleged to be due to him. The Resident Magistrate reserved his decision. Mr Drew in the meantime has published the letters with the object of showing that it was with the knowledge of 'Mr Hatch that the schooner went to the Auckland Islands, although ostensibly she cleared for Bass Strait. During the election contest Mr Hatch was frequently twitted with the knowledge that the schooner had gone io the Auckland Islands, and he steadily denied it. The news of the arrival of the Awarua at Melbourne with the castaways came four days before the election, and was generally considered to have cost Mr Hatch his seat in the House. The following are portions of Mr Hatch’s letters : “ The only excuse you have is going to the Auckland Islands for my boat; and then the skins must be on board before boing ready to leavo ; and a good look-out must' be kept for a surprise visit. The Stella has enough to do, and would not remain long, tho Hinemoa beieg at this inomeut laid up. If auyfching should turn up you will have to secure it with Gray, of the Stella, the beat way you can. You could of course toll him that I was uot aware you v/ero there, which would be correct, and he might then not be inclined to report on you, your clearance being distinctly for bass Strait. I am sorry you did not have a slop at the Campbell and Bounty Islands after leaving the Auckland Islands, delaying only four days. It.would havo put the election all right. It was a perfset smother. You will have received my explanation.”