Hatch

Stuart Devenie gave an excellent performance in his recreation of a public lecture that was originally presented repeatedly throughout 1919 by Joseph Hatch.

Joseph Hatch orchestrated the slaughter of more than three million penguins on Macquarie Island to harvest their rich oil. He was hounded by the New Zealand Government, the London Times, the Seamen's Union and even H.G. Wells.

In his lectures, he worked hard to clear his name and justify his actions armed with a gift for persuasive speech and a magic lantern slide show.

I was impressed by the toy penguin that was part of the performance.