West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954), Friday 8 June 1883, page 3


CORRESPONDENCE.

A VINDICATION OF MR. HACKETT BY THE

WARDEN OF TRINITY COLLEGE, MEL

BOURNE.

To THE EDITOR OF THE WEST AUSTRALIAN.

SIR,-I have been credibly informed that some time ago a paragraph was circulated in the Press of Western Australia containing a warning against " unscrupulous adventurers from Melbourne," and drawing attention to the case of Mr. J. W. Hack-ett, who, it was slated, had been "falsely repre-senting himself as the owner of Wooramel on the Gascoyne, whereas the real owner was one Mr. Master." I assume that these as sertions were made in good faith, on the strength of information supposed to proceed from a reliable source ; and, with your permission, I should like to say a few words on the subject in your columns. No one who knew Mr. Hackett well could for one moment sup-

pose such a charge to have any foundation; but,

as he is still a stranger in your colony, and as the injurious statement, if not publicly denied, might possibly be believed by persons whose good opinion Mr. Hackett might be sorry to forfeit, I think it right, as one who has known him inti-mately from boyhood, to ask you to give publicity to the following facts.

Mr. Hackett is a graduate and honorman of Dublin University, where he gained the gold medal of the Historical Society. He came out to the colonies in company with myself in the year 1875, and, from 1876 to the end of last year, filled the office of Vice-Warden of Trinity College in the University of Melbourne. His services during that time were highly valned by the Council of the College, and, on his resignation of the post at the end of last year, the following resolution was unanimously carried at a Council meeting, the Dean of Melbourne being in the chair: "That "the Council of Trinity College, while accepting "with extreme regret of Mr. Hackett's resigna-"tion of the office of Vice-Warden, desire to place "on record their grateful recognition of his valu-"able work for the College from the year 1876 to

"the present time."

I may add that Mr. Hackett was at the same time presented with a handsome testimonial by

the Council.

I am very well acquainted with the person named Master referred to above, to whom it is only too probable that the reports alluded to can be traced. I had him in my employment for a short time, until his bad conduct rendered it necessary for me to cut off all connexion with him. I am in a position to state positively (and am ready to make a statutory declaration to that effect, if desired), that Mr. Master is not, and never was, the owner of Wooramel. He is, in fact, wholly dependent upon Mr. Hackett, and under the deepest obligations to him, of which I am sorry to say he shows very little sense. He is, it is needless to add, a person on whose word no sort of reliance can be placed.

You will much oblige by publishing the fore-going statement, for which I accept the fullest responsibility.

Faithfully yours

ALEXANER LEEPER, M.A.,

Warden of Trinity College, in the University of

Melbourne.

May 21.

P.S.—Mr. Herbert Henty, of the firm of James Henty & Co.,—a name, I believe sufficiently well known in your colony—authorized me this morn-ing to say that he would gladly allow his name to be used as a reference, on behalf of Mr. Hackett, whom he knows and esteems.

A.L.