A SENSATIONAL LETTER.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1856, 13 June 1888, Page 2

A SENSATIONAL LETTER.

(per press assocation.) I Inveroahgill, June 12. A great secsitlon has been cansed by the publication of lettera from Mr Joseph Hatch, the hte member for the towD, and well known In connection with the aeftl fisheries, to L, F Drew, maater of the schooner A warm, which rescued the Derry Oastle BUivivors from the Auckland lolea. Drew, it will be remembered, was committed to prison for blx months/ m default of payment of the fine, for aeallog at thß Auoklanda In the cloae season, and he has jast been liberated on petition of the oltfa9na. List week he sned Mr Hatch for the balance of account alleged to .be due to him, and . the Resident Magistrate reserved his decision. Drew, m the meantime, has published letters with the objaot of showing that it wag with the knowledge of Mr Hatch that the schooner went to the Auoklands, although she ostensibly cleared for Biss Straitß Daring the elec ion contest Mr Hatch was frequently twitted with having knowledge that the schooner had gone to the Ancklands, and steadily denied it: The news of the arrival of the Awarua at Melbourne with the castaways came four days before the election, and it was generally considered that this faofc ooafc Mr. Hatch hiß aaat In tho House. The following are portions of Mr Hatch's lettera : — " The only excuse you have is going to the Auoklanda for my boat, and then the skins must not be on board before being ready to leave, and a good look-out must be kept for a surprise visit. The Stella has enough to do, and would not remain long, the Hinemoa being at this moment laid up. If anything should tarn up, you will have to square it with Gray, of the Stolla, the best way you cm. You could, of course, tell him that I was not aware you were there, which would be correct, and he might then not be inollned to report on you, your clearance being distinctly for Bibs Straits," " 1 am aorry yon did not have a slap at the Campbell and Bounty Islands after leaving the Auoklands. Delaying only four days would have put the election all right. It was a perfect Bmother. You will have read my explanation."