THE LIBEL CASE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIII, Issue 10623, 6 April 1895, Page 5

THE LIBEL CASE.

THE WILDH-QIJEENBBEKRY ACTION. fSPECIAIt TO PkkSS AasOCUTXON.J LONDON, Apriii 4. In cross-examination Oscar Wilde admitted that he was acquainted with young l men named Taylor, Parkerand Atkins. Taylor had: introduced ; him to five young men onßeparateoccaaions, to whom witness had given money, hut he was hot aware that auy?of thera were gentlemen’s servants; He said ho derived pleasure from being inthe company of bright and happj paople. Witness had frequently' been in, Taylor’s room. He was aware' that both Taylor and Parker had once been arrested, but continued, their friendship. Once ha took Atkins and a youth named Price to Paris, and* introduced them to another youths named Ernest Scarp, who became ac» quainted with Lord Douglas when making a voyage to Australia. Wilde said he had made presents to Scarpi and Mabor because he liked them,, Letters read in Court proved that the, .Marquis of Queensberry was endeavouring: to stop his son from visiting Wilde. The sou wired back ■to hie father that Wilde was a funny little man. The Marquis subsequently called at Wilde’s house, where a furious scene took place. The latter 1 denied the' charges levelled against him, and showed the Marquis the door. Witness wrote to the Marquis complaining that his wife encouraged his son’s visits. Wilde’s friendship with Lady Queensberry and her eons remained unbroken. Certain v letters,: from the youths already !■ named 1 showed that the writers were’poverfcyr; stricken, some imploring assistance or.; employment. The Marquis of Queensberry wrote , to his son, saying that he believed ,hki was crazy, and suggesting 1 ; that should leave the country. _ Mr Wilde admitted he paid, no regard to social inferiority if his friends were amusing. Lord Douglas’s letters showed that; he threatened to shoot his father if he attempted to thrash him. The mar** quis’s letter referred to aa emipnt statesman, hut the reference wasp political. Mr Wilde’s case is closed.

Mr Carson, in opening the defence, declared that Mr Wilde’s literature alone justified the charges against plaintiff. In conclusion, he claimed that the defendant’s witnesses, amongst whom was Wood, the chief blackmailer, would prove, the case to the hilt.