THE PARNELL COMMISSION

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2067, 19 February 1889, Page 2

THE PARNELL COMMISSION

MORE ABOUT THE LETTERS.

[Pap Pbess London, Ferbuary 16. ! Parnell is m indifferent health, Mr Soames, solicitor of the " Times," gave evidence before the Commission that Houston, Secretary of the Palriotio ; League, brought the letters to the i " Times " stating that Piggott wanted £5000 for them. After satisfying themselves the/ were genuine, the "Timeß " I gave Houston £8000, and retained the letters. Of this sum Houston paid Piggott £1780. The "Times" paid Detective Moser, of the United States ,£I4OO. They also had Parnell, Labouphere ? and others watqhed. Mr ! Lewfs, solicitor for Parnell, employed a jdetcctivo to shadow Piggott, and the "Times," unaware of this proceeding did the same. They did not enquire how Piggott himself managed to aeouro the letters. They obtained letters from Labouchere to Piggott, inclosing a £10 noto and a letter from Lewis to Piggott, charging the latter with admitting the forgery. Mr McDonald, manager of the " Times," m his evidence, deposed that he was unaware the letters had been offered to the « Pal) Mfril Gazette," Lo^don^ February If. Before the Paprioll Commission yesterday, attention was drawn to the fact that the absence of the envelopes from the oelebrated letters had not beau remarked by ft« purc^ierj, ' , r~v---- v. i , f