MACQUARIE ISLANDS VENTURE.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 887, 5 August 1910, Page 4

MACQUARIE ISLANDS VENTURE.

- MR. HATCH AND THE MEN. (By TelcKraDh-I'ress Association.! Invercargill, August 41 At a meeting of the Shipwreck Relief Society at Dunedin on Tuesday Mr. Belcher brought up tho question of the financial position of the men' recently brought from the Macquarie Islands, aiid asked that some assistance should be rendered them, as they were destitute. He understood that the men would receive no money until the oil secured was ] brought off the island and disposed of, the arrangement, being that their remuneration should be a share of what was obtained from the sale of the oil. It was. decided on that occasion that tho committee should obtain information as to the condition of the eight men, with power to act up to the amount of £25, it being at the same time distinctly understood that, when the men assisted received their share of pay for the oil.they should refund the money received from the society. In connection with this matter Mr. Josopli Hatch called on the local newspapers, and produced documentary evidence which showed that the position had been misrepresented "before the meeting of the Shipwreck Relief Society. Mr. Hatch stated that immediately on the men's arrival at the Bluff he paid tho "iithtj men ten pounds in all. On the following day two of tho men asked for ClO each,, and .£22. was paid to the others. Under those circumstances tho, men could not be said to be destitute. On Wednesday Mr. Hatch arranged for a full settlement with the 'eight men, and this was effected. Mr. Hatch produced receipts for the full ' amount owing, These receipts state that the sums. received are in full discharge of. all moneys owing in connection with tho Macquarie Islands venture, 1909-1910.