THE PARNELL ENQUIRY COMMISSION.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8272, 19 September 1888, Page 2

THE PARNELL ENQUIRY COMMISSION.

OPENING OF THE COURT. [PER PRESS ASSOOIAIION.] LoNDON,September 17. — Sir James Hannen, President of the Commission,- appointed to enquire into the charges and allegations against cirtain members of Parliament, in opening the proceedings, stated the enquiry would be restricted to persons and charges affected by the atateuients in the recent libel action of O'Donnell v. The Times. The right, however, would be reserved to call anyone able to eluc'Hato any of the issues to be tried. The proceedings will be conducted according to the rules of the ordinary Court of Justice. I He ruled that both parties were bound to discover all documents. If neither party appeared, the Court would itself thoroughly ptobe the charges. Sir Charles Russell, and with him Mr Asquith, appeared for eighty-four Purnellite members, and Sir Richard Webster, Attorney-General, with him Mr Graham, represented The Times. ' Sir James Hannen said he considered The Times ought to begin, and Mr Graham ugreed to produce/oc-stmifeg of the letters affecting Mr Pnrnell, Mr H. Oampboll, member for Fermanagh, and others. The Court ruled that the motions to examine Mr E^an in America, and for the release of Dillon from prison were premature, but the latter would be allowed out on bnil during the sitting of the Commission, on condition that he would refrain from taking part iv public affairs. The Court theu adjourned till Ootober 22ad. The police are applying to be represented at the enquiry by counsel. Sir James Hannen, President of the Commission, ruled that this Conrt should decide what "discovered" doouments either party would be permitted to inspect. Sir James also stated that the Court considered The Times ought to define the charges, in order to reveal the persons implicated. Mr Graham, junior counsel for The Times, submitted to the Court that at the present stage of the proceedings it would he almost impossible to comply with the wish of the Court.