THE PARNELL COMMISSION

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2070, 22 February 1889, Page 2

THE PARNELL COMMISSION

[Pbb Press Assooiatiok.l

London, February 19. Houston, Secretary of the Patriotio League, ia his evidence before the Commission, stated that he employed Pigott m 1885 and 1886 to collect materials for a phamplet intitnled •' Parnellism Unmasked. ' For writing this, Professor Magaire, of Dublin, received an advance of £800, and £700 was paid to Pigott and others. In 1885 witness applied to Mr Buckle, editor of the "Times," to buy the lettera without success. Next year he applied again, and this time Mr Buckle consented. Houston stated he paid Pigott £500 for the letters, and £1280 for expenses. He made no profit himself out of the gala.

London, February 20. When under examination before the Special Commission to-day, Houston produced a statement written by Pigott, asserting that Tynan, who was believed to be " Number One," and Frank Byrne had contemplated murdering the Prince of Wales and Mr Gladstone. The statement mentioned that Parnell and Egan were prime movers m the murders and outrages committed, also that J, G. Biggar and J, Dillon were accessories.

(Received February 22, 1224 p.m.) London, February 21. Before the Parnell Commission to-day it appeared that Mr Stead, the editor of the " Pall Mall Gazette," told Houston, the Secretary ot the Irish Patriotic League, when the Parnell letters were offered to him, that he bad lost £8000 over the publication of " The Maiden Tribute " and that he was reluctant to touch anything which was uncertain of success. It was further stated m evidence by Houston that at a meeting m Paris m 1881, Egan, Parneli, O'Kelly, Dillon, Biggar and Harris being present, it was decided to apply League lands towards assisting Fenian reprisals. Sheridan, Walsh and Bryne were sent to Ireland to organise murder circles, and it was arranged to remove Lord Oowper, Mr W. E, Forater, Mv Burke and Judges May and Lawson. Egan admitted that Mr Parnell approved of the murder of Lord Oowper, and Mr Forster, and that Parnell directly instigated two murders, just atter bis arrest. Egan and Parnell invariably consulted on the smallest details m regard to projected murders and Egan was indignant because Parnell, | before the Phoenix Park murders, advised the cessation of outrages. Tyna.n. declared that such was impossible and Egan petitioned for the recall of Tynan because of the dilatoriness which, was being displayed after the Phoenix Park murders. The refugees m Paris were liberally supplied with money. Tynan's courage failed m the contemplated murder of Mr Gladstone and the Prince of Wales. Egan arranged the murder of Carey, the Phoenix Park informer.

Ihe examination of Piggott has commenced.

(Received, February 22, 12 30 p.m.) London, February 21. Piggott, m his evidence, gave details of the interview he had had with Lewis, Parnell and Mr Labauchere, M.P, for Nottingham. The evidence caused a great sensation m Ouurt, Ho said that Labouchere promised him 4JIQOQ if he would swear that the letters published, by the " Times " were forgeries. He purchased 6jx of Parnell's of five and Egan'g letters from Murphy, a compositor on the " Irishman " newspaper. According to Davies, Mr Parnell while m Kilmainham gaol authorised Egan to plan the Clan-na gael Society and to devote 100,0Q0dols m promoting outrages.