Colonel Lynch, M.P.

Gisborne Times, Volume VII, Issue 444, 16 June 1902, Page 4

Colonel Lynch, M.P.

An amusing incident arising out of the strained relations between tho Boer 11 colonel,” Mr Lynch, M.P. for Galway, and his Irish tenants occurred in the House of Commons recently. Earl Percy asked whether the attention of the Government had been directed to the legal proceedings taken in the name of Mr Lynch to recover rents duo to him ; whether instructions had been given to arrest Mr Lynch on a charge of high treason if be entered the King’s dominions ; and whether steps would be taken, by making him an outlaw or utherwisc, to prevent him from using tho King's Courts for the recovery of ronts. Mr MacVeagh : Before tho AttorneyGeneral answers that question I beg to ask whether he is aware that three of the noble lord’s ancestors were hanged for high treason ? Ignoring the interruption, the AttorneyGeneral said that instructions had been given for the arrest of Mr Lynch if he entered British dominions, but it had not been considered desirable to prevent him from using British Courts of law in the manner suggested. Earl Percy: Is the law of William 111. still in ioree which says that prosecutions for high treason must take place within three years of the commission of the offence ? (Cries of “No.”) The Attorney General intimated that the question would have attention. Major Jameson: Is it not a fact that the Percies have been four times outlawed ? The Speaker ; Order, order. In tbe event of Mr Lynch being put on his trial the principal witness against him will bo Mr Lewis Handley, who arrived in London from South Africa. While residing on his farm near Glencoe Mr Handley- was in March, 1900. favored with a’visit from “ Colonel ” LyDch and his Irish Brigade. Mr Lynch, it appears, frankly acknowledged that he was a British subject, and told Mr Handley that he was fighting for the Boers “ for fun.”

Mr Lynch and his “ band of cutthroats,” as Mr Handley calls them, stayed on the farm for ten days, during which time, it appears, the crops and farm implements were wantonly destroyed, and a quantity of property stohn. Mr Handley has sworn affidavits concerning these matters in Natal, aDd wont to England in order to be at hand if he is wanted,