THE PARNELL COMMISSION

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2066, 18 February 1889, Page 2

THE PARNELL COMMISSION

♦ - — , [Pbß PREBB A BSOQIATIOU.] London, Ferbua<-y 16. While under examination before the "Times"- ParneU Commission, today, Mr Sqames, who is solicitor for the " Times " proprietary, and also acts as London solicitor for a number of provindial journals, deposed that Pigott, from whom ho had obtained a number of, letters written by Egan, had informed him that Mr H. Labouchere, member for Northampton, had offered him (Pigott) the sum of £1000 if he would go into the witness box and swear that he had forged the letters which the " Times " had published on ParneU ism and Crime. This evidence caused a great sensation m Court. Witness also testified to baring received information that Pigott was seen m the company of Messrs Lewis, ParneU, Labouehere, and'Egan's agent at the residence of Mr Labouchere, and that Pigott had shortly after the interview disclosed the result of the meeting to the "Times" with authorities. The "Times," Mr Soornes added, had not promised Pigott «ny money for the information divulged, nor had they paid him any, but he admitted the proprietors would not see the man ruined. Mr Mac Donald, the manager of the "Times," stated that Parnell's letters had been offered for £1000 to the Marquis of Hartington, who held a portfolio m the GUadstvne Ministry when Lord Frederick Cavendish was murdered, but he refused the offer, 3he f< Times" then purchased the letters, •long with those written by Egan, for the sum of £1780.