MR HATCH ON THE KAKANUI'S MISSION.

Western Star, Issue 1548, 28 March 1891, Page 3

MR HATCH ON THE KAKANUI'S MISSION.

The weather being very unseasonable, Mr Hatch had not a largo audience on Monday mgkt in the theatre, InvercargM, when he, delivered his exposition of the Macquaric Islands episode and the circumstances leading up to the despatch of the Kakamii to bring away his workmen. Mr Hatch was particularly severe on the Hon. T. Fergus and Mr Wilson, Under-Secretary of Marino. He accused them of being actuated by malice, which he alleged arose from previous disagreements he had had with them. He read telegrams which ho had sent to the Government informing them that there was not the slightest necessity for sending the vessel to the islands, and that the Kakanui was nrt fifcfor the work these being backed up by Messrs Ward, Kelly and Mackintosh, M.H.li. s. Telegrams had also passed, in which Mr Hatch remonstrated with the Minister of Marine for interfering in any way likely to cause him serious loss and the reply returned was that if rumors were true a serious obligation rested on the Government to relieve the ineu. Mr Hatch stated that during his visit to the inlands he and the Gratitude's crew actually used the srores, for the lack of which the men lost were allege i to be starving, and that the greatest discomfort the shore partv had had was the want of fuel, for which they had tosabntitute blubber, skins, etc. Tobacco, tea and sugar were also done, but. there was plenty of other food. Mr Hatch asserted that he had not made a six pence out of the industry as yet, principally because of the action of the Government durhzcr the past twelve mouths re the traWer of the islands from Tasmania. Mr Hatch, publishes in the Invercagill papers the following telegram, sent to Captain Eairchild at Napier, or. his arrival from Ins last search in Ihe Hinemoa :—" 10th March, 1891 Did you sec or hoar anything ot Mr Hatch's ketch Gratitude? Kindly rt ,plv W.B. Scasdrett, Town Clerk. The/following answer was received : "Didnjtseo Gratitude. Afraid she got ashore at Macquaries.—JoiiX Fatkciiild." Mr Hatch asks:—"lt Captain Paircbild thought the Gratitude had gone ashore nt the Maequaries, what explanation Las to he offer tor not going there, on his search, to rescue the survivor.", if any ?"